Insects/bugs on dwarf eureka lemon (forum)

Michelle Prcic starts with ...
I purchased my dwarf eureka citrus 2 months ago and replanted it into a large pot. I had 12 lemon buds on the tree which all fell off in a space of 2 weeks. Last week i had another 8 buds and now there are only 2 left. I just had a real close look at the 2 remaining buds and i can see very small insects/bugs circled around the bottom of the bud. I had a look around the leaves and i cannot see any of these critters.
I think they are the reason for the lost buds?
What are these critters and what are the procedures to rid these buggers?
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Time: 12th February 2013 4:14pm

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MaryT says...
Mealybugs? I usually rub or hose them off and/or spray with home made white oil. To 500ml water add a tablespoon vegetable oil and a drop of dishwashing detergent. Shake well before use.

Time: 12th February 2013 4:42pm

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Michelle Prcic says...
Thanks Mary.

Could this be the reason off all the lost lemons previously?

Time: 12th February 2013 4:47pm

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MaryT says...
Could be, Michelle. One thing; they are 'farmed' by ants so watch out for ants.

Time: 12th February 2013 5:27pm

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Michelle Prcic says...
The home made white oil kills the ants as well or just the mealy bugs?

Can i use the white oil on the fig tree, near the roots as i have seen a few ants?

Time: 12th February 2013 5:36pm

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Brain says...
yes and no.

Mealybugs can cause the fruit to drop, as it's sucking the life out of the tree. So either the fruit is not getting enough nutrients - hence abort or the tree 'knows' the fruit has mealybugs attached to it and thus abort to get rid of it.

Other factors is that your tree is a young tree and may not be in the best state to carry the fruit to maturity.

Also, as it's dwarf Eureka, which implies it's on poncirus trifoliata var flying dragon rootstock. There are plenty of literature out there saying that the normal poncirus trifoliata is incompatible with Eureka, so that could also be a factor.

Time: 12th February 2013 5:51pm

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MaryT says...
Squashing mealybug is satisfying and effective. White oil won't kill ants but will deter them as the stickiness of the spray is unpleasant. It's a good idea to spray leaves both front and back and the stems and trunk of tree as well. I have used the white oil on my fig trees without any problems as long as you stick to the 5 ml oil to 500ml water.

Time: 12th February 2013 5:55pm

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Mike says...
It would have to be a really serious mealbug infestation to make fruit drop.Dropping fruit is usually from climatic conditions,nutrient problems or disease.You could follow the ants back to their hole and if it is in a safe spot pour hot water down it.You have to control the ants as well as the mealybugs to break the cycle.

Time: 12th February 2013 8:59pm

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MaryT says...
Brain I am so glad to hear what you said about the Eureka rootstock. I bet that's the problem with one I had: no matter what I did the tree wouldn't thrive; it had every problem known to a lemon tree. In the end I just got another one that flowered and fruited with no problem so it was NOT ME! :)

Time: 15th February 2013 8:07am

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Brain says...
I too am contemplating on replacing my dwarf eureka, with one on either Cox Hybrid or Benton rootstock. I think like you MaryT, it's time to bite the bullet and move on to a new plant.

Having said that, I also has hedged my bets, have dwarf lisbon - but not a single fruit that went past pea sized in 3 years but this winter maybe the year. In the last month or two, I've started trialling Fino (from Daley) and Villa Franca.

The Fino is finding the Brisbane heat a bit too much and is slowly acclimatising. As for the Villa Franca, which belongs to the Eureka group, is on Trifoliata but surprisingly is going very well.

Time: 15th February 2013 12:17pm

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MaryT says...
Well you never know your luck Brain. I bought and planted a Eureka at my nephew's and that tree has grown big and strong and productive. Funny thing is they are a busy family and scarcely look after any plants in their garden. :)

Time: 15th February 2013 12:32pm

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Brain says...
In gardening and as in life, sometimes you get lucky. :)

After 10 years of growing citrus, and many dead plants later, I'm pleased to say finally I'm courting limited success with a few limes and oranges in the last year. But still looking for the elusive self grown lemon.

The trials and tribulations ...

Time: 18th February 2013 10:46pm

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MaryT says...
Patience seems to be an essential virtue in the garden, Brain. I've also had 'limited success'. My strategy is to care for each tree hoping that by keeping them healthy SOME of them may decide to reward me with fruit. :)



Time: 19th February 2013 5:46am

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