brazilian raintree goof

tom_termine

Hi all -

I know what I did was probably stupid, but a mealy bug infestation in my greenhouse made me desperate. It started on a Fukien tea and has spread to my other trees.

So, here goes: I sprayed a brazilian raintree with Bonide all season Oil spray to try to eradicate the problem (I know, I should have tested a small area first!). Two days later, all of my leaves have dropped off. This tree has dropped leaves before due to site changes and being droughted, but it has recovered.

Can I expect it to recover now, as well? Is there anything I should do to encourage this - there are some undamaged buds on the tree.

BTW, I have little faith in the Bonide even working, as I have had little luck with both a systemic and with Safer Soap to eradicate these mealy bugs. These buggers hide everywhere - under bark, under dead leaves!

I think I need to get my trees outside where some mealy predators will find them - but the weather in Massachusetts has been miserable this spring. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Tom

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Tom

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Bonsainut

TT,
Sounds like a perect time to get it outdoors . With no leaves what would be the harm? And certainly by the time new leaves are present the weather would be cooperating.
As to mealy bugs why not use a systemic!!! Ortho Systemic Insect Killer goes into the system and no bugs like the taste of your tree. go get em.

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Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce

pootsie

I feel your pain, dude. No experience with rain tree, sorry. But I do know that I've had F.Tea and others react badly to pesticide with leaf-drop, and eventually regain strength.

good luck!

pootsie

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p.s. My cat is a bonsaiTALK Master.
Columbus Bonsai Society

tom_termine

Thanks bonsainut. What are your thoughts about placing the poor guy outside in a 45 degree nor'easter? Ah, nothing like springtime in New England!



I have been using Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Killer and Safer Soap (before the Oil), without much luck. Is the Ortho better?

Thanks again! and thanks for the empathy, Pootsie.

tom

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Tom

John Dixon

Tom,

I bet the leaves will return. Acacia do that (as you noted) for many reasons.

45* F huh? Probably a little cold for acacia, but with no leaves, the wind isn't an issue (I'm trying hard here). We got down to 52*F this morning, but it is a little colder than normal and my acacia have been outside for over a month. They are doing fine. A bit iffy in your situation though.

Sounds like any kind of horticultural oil would have the same effect. I would wonder if that is generally an issue with tropicals and/or is it related to the "sensitive" leaf structure of a raintree? I used NEEM oil last fall and don't recall any specific problems other than leaf drop (which was likely form being changed from outside to inside).

I wish I had the answer for the proper pesticide. I don't really know one to recommend over another (I tend to use standard ones like Sevin and Malathion), but I would believe a systemic form is the way to go.

I just wanted to add some encouragement and wish you the best.

John

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

malhomme

I generally use Orthene (acephate) on my Brazilian raintrees. And, when healthy, have kept them outside down into the mid thirties without a problem so long as the winds were calm. However, as John suggested, this may be a problem with a stressed tree.

Regarding oil-based sprays.... I've noticed that the leaves of the raintree repel water. It seems reasonable to me that disturbing this waxy coating with an oil could cause leaf drop.

Cheers and symps,
Jim

tom_termine

Hi -

Well, it's back! My raintree has made a full recovery, as predicted by many on this site.

Pic attached.

And, btw, I recommend NOT using bionide All Seasons Spray Oil on your raintrees (unless, of course, you would like to defoliate it prior to some intensive wiring - just kidding...)

Attached Images

Raintree 6-18.jpg (68.5 KB, 84 views)

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Tom

clrosner

Hey everyone:
Before going to all these chemical sprays why not try the home brew: I have used this solution on Rain trees, Fukien, Black Olive (Bucida Spinosa), even my Buttonwods.

SOAP solution!

I pour a solution of 1 to 2 tablespoon dishwashing detergent, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into a plastic gallon and slowly add
water to fill the gallon jug. I fill this solution from the gallon bottle into a spray bottle and just before using I add 1 to 2 two caps
full (from the rubbing alcohol bottle) of rubbing alcohol and spray immediately. If you do not use the full bottle of spray, I
suggest the next time you are going to use the soap/alcohol solution add the same amount of rubbing alcohol again, since the
alcohol will evaporate. I store this soap/oil solution in the gallon jug for months on end. It does not seem to go bad.

Spray on plants covering all leaf and stem surfaces. You may have to spray from three to four times with intervals of three
days. I have eliminated almost any kind of pest that have attacked my trees, including scale.

I do not wash off the spray and have seen no adverse reaction to the trees from this mixture.

You can add Glycerin for oil

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Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7
arteacher3725@yahoo.com

CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]:
www.carlrosner.com

JohnQuinn

Tom...that's a good looking tree! Glad it has recovered.

I have one about the same size. I have had it for about 5 or 6 years and fortunately have found it to be pretty much pest free, but I have on occasion lightly sprayed it with Immunox Plus without deleterious effects.
I know Carl has had good results with his recipe and will likely give it a try myself sometime.