Scaly insects on citrus trees (in the UK)

[Thomzo]

Hi
I have a sweet lemon and two oranges in my conservatory. The lemon is about 5 years old and has its first proper crop of real yellow lemons. They are about the size of golf balls but they have as much flavour as a full size shop bought lemon. I am so proud of it.

Anyway, the reason for this post is that I keep getting infestations of scale insect. Provado Ultimate Bug killer is the only thing I've found that keeps them down but I'd rather not use it. Is there any other way I can get rid of these pests or stop them from arriving?

I did try wiping them off but the trees are getting a bit big now and it takes forever. They just come back again in a day or so.

Also, does anyone know of a good organic citrus food. I did read on another thread that the antipodeans pee on theirs but as mine are indoors I'm not so keen.

Cheers
Zoe

[Jack]

Gidday

Spraying oil is the normal thing to use, but I am wondering if it were followed up by a spray of aerated compost tea would help keep them off.

[Wombat]

Yeah, spray oil is the way to go for scale Zoe, and seeing as citrus love nitrogen, aged or rotted chook poo is the way to go. I can see your concerns about the pee........

Nev

[Thomzo]

Thanks guys.
But can I show my ignorance and ask what you mean by spaying oil?

I will try the chick poo though.

Zoe

[Wombat]

Zoe

It is a refined petroleum oil generally referred to as "white oil". It works by coating the scale insect with an impervious layer and preventing it breathing. I suppose that theoretically a vegetable oil would do the same but I have never heard of it being used as such!

Nev

[Thomzo]

Ah ha

Found this http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/stories/s780287.htm

A recipe for making your own from vegetable oil and soap. It's probably illegal here in the UK so I won't say that I am going to have a go at the weekend and see how I get on.

Thanks for your help guys.

Zoe

[Wombat]

Well done Zoe! Good find!

I will be interested to hear about what you won't be doing (information not for use, prepared for educational purposes only!)

Nev

[chadspad]

I have scale on my grapefruit tree so grateful for that recipe! what size cup does it mean tho du think - a coffee cup or a mug?

[Thomzo]

Hi
I didn't actually get a chance to try this at the weekend (theoretically speaking of course). Too busy getting the chook house ready for tomorrow. I've painted the walls, put up the curtains, fitted the carpet, had the 3 piece suite delivered. What else do you think they would need?

I'm guessing that the "cup" is the same as the American "cup" which is 237ml or approx half the quantity of oil

I don't know about you but one litre of water will drown all three of my small trees so I shall try mixing a smaller quantity but in the same ratio. If you used teaspoons you could do 2 teaspoons oil, 1 teaspoon washing up liquid to a 1litre spray bottle.

Zoe

[Boots]

You know... I nearly didn't open this thread, despite my interest in all things citrus... because it had (In the UK) in the title. I figured it must have been a question relating to citrus bearing wellingtons or black puddings or something equally exclusive, and meant other countries may not be able to assist or understand your particular citrus needs.

Glad to see you found the answer to your question from members and sites NOT IN THE UK.

[Jack]

Gidday

Hey that recipe looks a bloody beauty Eh!

[the.fee.fairy]

Think i might have scale on my citrus trees too (poor things, they're only 2" high!) so i'm going to make a smaller amount and use an old spray bottle.

[Thomzo]

You know... I nearly didn't open this thread, despite my interest in all things citrus... because it had (In the UK) in the title. I figured it must have been a question relating to citrus bearing wellingtons or black puddings or something equally exclusive, and meant other countries may not be able to assist or understand your particular citrus needs.

Glad to see you found the answer to your question from members and sites NOT IN THE UK.

Hi Boots
Sorry about that. I didn't mean that non-uk members shouldn't read it but just that all the other threads about citrus trees were from your side of the world and the problems were different. I had read some comments about similar pests but they were a lot bigger.

It really does show how people all over the world can help each other and I am really grateful for all the fantastic advice I have read from everyone, whereever they are based.

Cheers
Zoe

[Boots]

No probs... good to be part of a global garden innit.

[Wombat]