Episode: #3 16/09/2006
Presenter: Kim

1. You sometimes see on orange trees that a black mould has developed over the fruit and leaves, but how do you get rid of it?

The black film covering the tree is a fungus called Sooty Mould. This sooty mould occurs because aphids have infested the tree, sucking the sap and leaving behind a sticky covering on the leaves. The sugary cover called honeydew gets mouldy and, over time, will spread onto the fruit.

To stop the mould, you have to stop the aphids, and the best way to do this is with Pest Oil, available in both a pre-mixed spray pack or, in a concentrated form. Mix up the Pest Oil and spray the entire tree in a good fine mist. The oily coating will cover the leaves and smother any sap sucking insect, giving your tree super protection and a great head start this spring.

As for the best way to get rid of the mould off the fruit, soapy water and a rinse will do the trick

Giving your citrus tree the right food is very important. Always choose a dedicated citrus fertilizer like Yates Citrus Food which contains the right balance of nutrients and trace elements to keep your tree healthy and fruitful.

Apply the fertilizer to the drip line of the tree, it is important as most of the active roots grow there. If you are growing citrus in a pot, then spread the fertilizer out evenly. Afterwards, just water in well.

2. Sick Lilly Pilly

The top looks moth eaten and the stem is rather bowed, however, with a little TLC and a sharp pair of secateurs, you can get the plant back on the road to recovery.

Start by cutting out the dead patches and trimming off these lower branches. Now trim the whole top back to a nice rounded shape. This will help encourage the plant to re-shoot with balanced growth all over.

The kink will need to be splinted to take the bend out. Place a thin piece of timber on the outside of the bend. Starting from the bottom, begin to wind the tape around, electrical or budding tape are fine. Keep the tape tight as you go up.

Over time, pressure from the splint will gradually straighten the stem. Now, you can nurse the Lilly Pilly back to health.

Featured Products

Yates Pest Oil

-          For control of citrus leaf miner, scales, mites, mealy bug, aphids and white fly.
-          Low toxic and highly effective.
-          Includes UV inhibitors which reduce potential leaf burn during hot weather.
-          Easy to use.

Yates Citrus Food
-          Specially developed granular fertiliser for feeding garden planted citrus.
-          Balanced blend of nitrogen for healthy foliage growth and phosphorus and potassium for large juicy fruit.
-          A fast acting granular plant food.
-          Specifically formulated for all types of citrus.
-          Also contains trace elements for all round citrus health.