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Originally Posted by lagunamadre
The bugs are a bad thing for sure, but as for the leaf drop, don't worry. Even down here in taco country, mine drop most, if not all their leaves in the winter.Larry
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Is this something I should expect to happen EVERY year? I was under the assumption that this species did not go through seasonal foliage changes... or at least it shouldn't. I'm just glad it's bouncing back. I was surprised to see it start budding out after four weeks without leaves. It's a small tree (10") so I figured it was a goner.
After a google search, they are in fact mealybugs. there are not many of them but I will be sure to get the insecticidal soap ASAP. Physiologically, how do they affect the tree?
Finally, I don't water it everyday but is misting twice a day too much? Surprisingly, it's been pretty dry around here the past two weeks with dewpoints in the low 30s.
Finally, I don't think the light levels are a problem. My setup is two 22" flourescent grow bulbs and the top of the tree is only about 1/2" from the bottom of the lights and I have it all covered with a reflective emergency blanket-type cloth.