Sick grapefruit

Hi

I'm looking for some advice for my grapefruits. I've grown 5-6 from seed and a couple are over 4 feet, however, all have now contracted some disease.

It looks like the buds are dying off, and there's a spider web like mildew also. Here are some pics

[IMGLINK]http://i.imgur.com/whnMR.jpg[/IMGLINK]

[IMGLINK]http://i.imgur.com/zrgIk.jpg[/IMGLINK]

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Chris

 

Hi Chris, you may have spider mites. They are a BOOGER to get rid of!! I spray my plants with a mix of neem oil, water, and a bit of washing up liquid. You can get the neem oil from eBay. A small bottle will do. Make sure its plain neem oil and not something mixed with it though.

 

I agree looks like RSM.

I've found Westland plant rescue works well on RSM.

Only the one for ornamentals though.

But I'm doubting you will be picking any grapefruit in the near future.

Plant Rescue Bug Killer Ornamental Plants RTU 750ml

 

I have had mine for about 4-5 years, bought as a small tree (Ruby) and it has struggled ever since with this, that or the other ... leaf curl, RSM ... It looks sort of okay now but only 30cms tall (was over a meter when I originally bought it).

I don't hold out much hope. :(

 

Thanks for the replies, I've got some Provado Ultimate Bug Killer which seems to kill most things so I'll give that a try for now.

Thanks

Chris

 

Chris, it wont work.

Might kill the adults but not the eggs.

 

Agreed. I tried EVERYTHING. The neem oil seems to do the trick though.

 

Chris - it damn near killed my Erythina too, so be careful.
I found a post on here about using a lavender based solution for RSM the other day.
In addition, wipe the leaves (especially the underside) off first with a sponge dipped in the very hottest water your hands can bear between wipes.
And make sure to raise the humidity around the plant too.

 

Thanks, neem oil it is I'l let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Chris

 

Good luck with it Chris. Keep us updated.

 

Hi again

What ratio of neem oil shall I mix with water (50-50?), and then add just a dash of washing up liquid?

Cheers

Chris

 

Ah, I didn't measure it but 2 or 3 tablespoons should do it. The rest warm eater and a squirt of dish soap. Shake the crud out of it before you spray. Oh it smells funny too. Sort of a nutty but acrid smell. Weird but not horrible.

 

Thanks catztail I've ordered some of this


[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/PINK-SUN-Pest-Control-200ml/dp/B0051OKVKO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322684726&sr=8-1[/url]

 

The dilution rates I use (found on the www) are -

As Preventative Spray -
5 ml neem oil / 1 to 2 ml detergent/soap / 1 litre warm water

You can double the concentration (which is what I've done) for use as a more effective spray for bad infestations.

The diluted spray doesn't keep and you need to keep agitating the solution to keep it well mixed.

Unused spay can be use as a soil/compost drench