White coating on conifers , resembling wool fluff or waxy discharge, most likely indicates the presence of pests - aphids. However, it is worth knowing thatsimilar symptoms may also be related to the presence of a completely different pestor a fungal disease. Unfortunately, they are easily confused! To choose the appropriate methods of combating this problem seedescriptions and photos of conifers with white coatingI will tell you what it is and how to fight it: -)
White coating on conifers - aphid feeding effect
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Aphid feeding on conifers
Let's start with the most commoncause of white coating on conifer branchesWell, this white coating, resembling wool fluff, is a waxydischarge under which the gorse aphids feed They appear on different species of conifers. And so it can be a spruce-larch stick, a fir stick or a spruce stick. The latter is also an aphid. The symptoms of these pests foraging in the form of a white coating resembling small fluff of wool or cotton wool are usually observed from April to June. Other damage caused by these aphids is deformation or twisting of the needles, discoloration of the needles, browning and dropping of the needles.
After noticing the above-mentioned symptoms of aphid feeding on conifers,spraying with aphicidal preparations , such as: Mospilan 20 SP, Karate Gold Tuja and Iglaki, Polysect 055 SL Ochojnik or Deltam (formerly known as Decis Ogród).If we do not want to use chemicals, we can use natural insecticides, eg Emulpar 940 EC. If we have a lot of conifers to be sprayed (e.g. a coniferous hedge), it is worth reaching for a larger packaging of Emulpar, intended for spraying conifers - Emulpar 940 EC Tuje and Conifers.
White raid and aphids on the pine tree
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
In order to avoid the occurrence of aphids in the next year, after the winter, in the period March-April,preventive spraying with oil preparations , such as the already mentioned Emulpar 940 EC Thujas and Conifers. This spraying, ecological and harmless to the environment, is aimed at combating aphids on conifers when they wake up from their winter sleep and just start feeding on plants. Thanks to this, we will reduce the need to use harmful chemicals during the full growing season, and the unsightlywhite coating on conifers will probably not appear at all
June on conifers
White raid on conifers may also be the result of June feeding , which include, among others mealybugs. A good example is the mealybug - juniper meal. It forms clusters on the shoots inside the bush, and itslarvae are surrounded by a white waxy secretion , also reminiscent of cotton or wool. This is clearly seen in the photo below.
White coating on conifers - aphid feeding effect
Fig. © László Érsek, source: bladmineerders.nl
Until recently, in order to get rid of this pest, I recommended spraying with Confidor 200 SL (preferably at the beginning of June, a total of two sprays with an interval of 14 days), but it was withdrawn from sale (who else has the expiry date is important, it can be used). Currently, we have mainly ecological Emulpar 940 EC Tuje and Iglaki.
Blister rust of pine needles
As it turns out,white coating resulting from aphids or mealybugs may be confused with growths, which are the result of a fungal disease called rustsuch photos were posted on our forum uomo101 asking if this is the effect of the existence of the aphid - pine bastard. Meanwhile, it turned out that the white-and-pink growths on the pine shootvisible in the photosare blister rust of pine needles. The photo of the rust symptoms is below.
White growths on conifers - pine rust
Fig. uomo101, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
The presence of rust requiresspraying with fungicides . For fighting rust, such agents as Amistar 250 SC and Saprol Long Acting Thuja and other decorative agents or Scorpion 325 SC are suitable.
It is also worth knowing thatrust is a two-home disease , which means that it needs two different host plants for its full life cycle.For example, in the case of blister rust in pine needles, the common old man is the second host. From the old age, the fungus spores reach the pines. Therefore, to effectively combat rust, you shouldeliminate the second hostThis usually involves removing any weeds and weeds that grow under the conifers. It is also worth sprinkling the mulch (pine bark fits perfectly under the conifers), which will slightly reduce the growth of new weeds and rust host plants.
Spider mites on conifers
Symptoms of aphid feeding in the form ofwhite coating resembling fluff of wool or cotton wool , at least after reading the description itself, you can alsobe confused with the symptom of feeding of spider mites that surround the twigs conifers with delicate spider websThe pine spider mite, which commonly attacks various conifers, also causes yellowing, browning and dropping of the needles. It looks like in the picture below.
Cobwebs on conifers are the effect of feeding spider mites
Fig. © Rafał Okułowicz
To find out if the visible spider webs on the conifers are the effect of feeding the spider mite, we need to take a magnifying glass and put a white sheet of paper under the conifer twigs. After vigorously shaking the twig, tiny creatures will fall onto the sheet of paper, looking like moving dots (from 0.2-0.4 mm). Looking through the magnifying glass will help you observe them. If under a magnifying glass we find that they look like small spiders, they will be spider mites.
After identifying spider mites, we apply chemical spray , e.g. with Karate Gold Tuje and Conifers or with the natural preparation Emulpar 940 EC. Emulphar, as in the case of aphid control, it is also worth performingearly spring spraying in a year to destroy the eggs hibernating on the shoots of conifersThis should prevent the re-infestation of spider mites in the spring.
Described aboveagents for the protection of coniferscan be ordered in our store.To view the offer, press the button below.
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