Most leaves are great for adding to compost. But some trees, like black walnuts, have toxins in their fallen leaves called hydrojuglone that can cause other plants to turn yellow, wilt and die. English walnut, hickory and pecan trees also produce small amounts of hydrojuglone. These leaves, and any other tree leaves that are infected with fungus or disease, should be disposed of with rubbish and not included in your compost.
Read full articleIt may be windburn, so try providing shelter for the tree or it might be a result of transplanting, and it’s possible you’ve planted it too deep. To remedy this, carefully place the spade under the plant and lift it slightly, filling the gap with soil. If that doesn’t help, get back to me and we’ll look at something else.
Read full articleIf you think your peach or nectarine tree has leaf curl you should read this comprehensive guide on what to do by Sarah Frater of Edible Garden Ltd. Click here for her guide to combating leaf curl in fruit trees.
Read full articleGiven the weather over the last week, you may have already found the answer to your question. Guavas thrive in places like Fiji and barely grow in the top of the North.
So it sounds to me like your plant may well be suffering from frost burn. Covering it with a frost cloth, available from garden centres, could help it survive the winter. If you haven’t had a frost yet, the cause may be an insect like thrips. The best way to beat them is with neem oil.
Read full articleThe mould is relatively harmless, but indicates that an insect was or is present (usually aphids, whiteflies or scales). They feed on the undersides of the leaves and secrete a sticky, clear fluid that drops onto the leaves below. To get rid of the insects spray the trees with copper oil.
Read full articleMy Tamarillo plant got off to a shaky start in an exposed part of the garden so moved it to a more sheltered and reasonably sunny spot. It looks much healthier with bright green leaves and what appears to be the beginning of fruit. However, the leaves eventually discolour and if I shake the tree (gently) some drop off. I've fed it with a general fertiliser...is this sufficient?
It sounds like your Tamarillo is too dry. These plants have a tendancy to drop a lot of leaves anyway because they direct a lot of nourishment into their fruit. Try adding some evenly balanced liquid fertilizer with an MPK of about 12, 9 and 11.
Read full articleCAUSE: Damage from sun, freezing winds or salt.
SOLUTION: Soil moisture can prevent scorching and wash away soil salts. Water the soil well when it is dry 3 cm beneath the surface. Add organic matter to the soil to improve moisture retention and apply mulch to limit the evaporation rate.
Read full articleThese are the signs of longihorn (borer). Borer attack plants stressed by drought or disease. To rid the plant of borer improve growing conditions by watering regularly, prune off infested branches and spray any small holes left on branches or trunk with a systemic spray.
Read full articleIt can be hard to know what is happening with your lime tree without seeing it. While lemon trees grow pretty fast, lime trees are not easy to fruit – especially if you live in a colder area.
I would recommend checking the root stock of your tree. When you buy a lime tree it will often be grafted to another tree. Just look down the bottom and if the leaves at the bottom are totally different from the leaves on the tree it means your grafted tree has taken over from your main tree. In this case I would recommend planting a new tree.
However, it is most likely your lime tree just hasn’t had time to fruit yet. I would give it some time and in the mean time feed it some pot ash which you can buy from your local garden centre. This will encourage fruiting. Or you could try feeding it nitrophoska blue, a balanced fertiliser with everything it needs to encourage growth.
Another trick to remember with planting citrus trees is not to plant them too close to a lemon tree. Bees have a tendency to cross pollinate from a lemon tree and this will mean you end up with a lot of seeds in the fruit of your lime or other citrus tree fruit.
Read full articleWe planted a lime tree three years ago and, although it is right next to a flourishing lemon tree, we have never had any limes off it. What can we feed it to encourage limes?
It can be hard to know what is happening with your lime tree without seeing it. While lemon trees grow pretty fast, lime trees are not easy to fruit - especially if you live in a colder area.
I would recommend checking the root stock of your tree. When you buy a lime tree it will often be grafted to another tree. Just look down the bottom and if the leaves at the bottom are totally different from the leaves on the tree it means your grafted tree has taken over from your main tree. In this case I would recommend planting a new tree.
However, it is most likely your lime tree just hasn't had time to fruit yet. I would give it some time and in the mean time feed it some pot ash which you can buy from your local garden centre. This will encourage fruiting. Or you could try feeding it nitrophoska blue, a balanced fertiliser with everything it needs to encourage growth.
Another trick to remember with planting citrus trees is not to plant them too close to a lemon tree. Bees have a tendency to cross pollinate from a lemon tree and this will mean you end up with a lot of seeds in the fruit of your lime or other citrus tree fruit.
Read full article
