I hope this photo posts.



We are in process of moving to our new property, and a couple months ago we transplanted this neglected Orange tree from it's pot to in-ground

I inspected it for cottony scale, which was found on another citrus, but it was free of that stuff. NOW, this morning I did my rounds and this beautiful, healthy tree full of new leaves has this stuff that looks like Christmas Icecicles.

What do you think it is, and how do I get rid of it? There are other citrus in the area, but they don't have this white stuff on them.

Thanks!

Suzi

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That looks like psyllid infestation.

Oh dear! I googled the term, and found a lot of information http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74155.html at UC IPM. It appears I will have to report this, and they may have to come out and destroy my tree. I certainly will do what I can to get rid of this pest.

I'm worried about the acres of citrus growers in the valley here, so I'm sure this will be taken seriously. I called their hotline 1-800-491-1899, but only open Mon - Fri. Meanwhile, I will treat the tree with Merit AKA Imocloprid, which the publication says must be done.

Thanks for the ID!

Suzi

Suzi, your trees will not be destroyed due to ACP, not sure where you got that information. Yes, your trees will need to be treated, and yes, you should call your local ag agent to have your trees tested for Huonglongbing (Citrus Greening, which is the disease that the ACP can carry). Please note that we have NOT found infected ACP's here in the state of California. The ACP is here, but to date, the CDFA has not found ACP's that are carrying HLB. The one incidence of HLB found in Whittier was due to someone from China grafting an already infected piece of pummelo budwood to a neighbor's citrus tree. But, still, the right thing to do is to have the ag agents come out and test your tree and the psyllids for HLB. It would be highly unlikely that your tree or the psyllids have HLB, but it is still the right thing to do. Then, you can talk to the ag agents about the best ACP control methods. I have given you the source for finding Imidacloprid at many different retail outlets in Greg's thread about the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter, it is readily available.

Patty,

I read your response on Greg's thread. When you have acreage, not just a back yard, you need higher concentrate than the Big Box stores provide. We use Merit by Bayer because it is the next best thing to what is available to Commercial growers, and can NOT be purchased at a Big Box store. That stuff is formulated by Bayer for homeowners on regular size lots that are not in commercial agricultural areas.

Thanks for the info. I think my idea that they might remove my tree came from ignorance and inner fear ) I look forward to their visit and I hope they know something about our other non-citrus damaged fruit trees. I'll be happy to let them treat away!

Suzi

mrtexas, we are acutely aware of this here in California. We are in a race against time for research to come up with a viable treatment option for HLB. We all know it's just a matter of time once the psyllid has been established in an area. The California commercial citrus industry (and Texas) have learned a lot from the debacle in Florida. So, commercial orchardists here in California have been routinely treating their citrus orchards for the ACP for the last about 6 years or so. What we do expect - HLB will be found in someone's backyard. This is our huge dilemma here in S. California, which I imagine is much like Florida: It is estimated that between 70 and 90% of homeowners here in S. California have at least 1 citrus tree in their yard. How do you manage that? So, having folks like Suzi, who find evidence of the ACP call their local ag agent, and have both the psyllids and their trees tested for HLB is the right thing to do. There have been many suggestions as to how to treat or manage for HLB in our backyards, one of which is horrifically drastic (and actually quite possible), which would be to remove all citrus in private yards in areas where HLB has been discovered. All to save our commercial citrus industry. So, we're all collectively waiting for the other shoe to drop here.

And Suzi, I understand, I have over 100 citrus trees on my property. I did want to clarify for other forum members when you said that Imidacloprid was not available at the retail level, it is. Merit ends up being less expensive to use, if you have large numbers of citrus trees on your property. I didn't think you had that many? But, if you've been able to purchase Merit, and understand how to apply it, over time it will be less expensive.

The orchards on both sides of our road have yellow tags on them which means they are treated.

Patty, your comment about "waiting for the shoe to fall," explains my fear that they will make me rip out my trees. We, here in the forum, are not average backyard gardeners. We all care and would never do anything to hurt the commercial growers, nor do we want our trees taken because of them. Would love to be a fly on the wall with my neighbors, but they all have 1-20 acres, and I have no clue what's planted on them.

We've been moving in for two weeks, and Patty, when the weather cools, I would love for you and your significant other to come up and enjoy some BBQ and some amazing views, and help me figure out what to do with what!

LOL! All my Oleanders will be slayed!!

Suzi

Suzi, they cannot nor do they have the authority at this point to "rip out your trees". The only way they could do that, is if your trees were infected with HLB. Right now, to date, there are no trees in the state of California that the CDFA has found that have tested positive for HLB except the one tree in Whittier, which has been removed and destroyed, nor any psyllids positive for HLB. So, there would be zero reason for them to rip your trees out. So, no worries And, I would love to see your new place once you're all settled in!

Question from a foreigner, what means "we're waiting for the other shoe to drop here"?

Well, no, what I was referring to was the first shoe dropped is the introduction of the vector insect, the Asian Citrus Psyllid. HLB cannot infect a citrus tree without it's vector insect. That is our "first shoe". The ACP fist appeared in S. California around 2008. We have been waiting for the "other shoe to drop" to find an Asian Citrus Psyllid that is actually carrying HLB or an infected tree. Right now, all the ACP's caught in CDFA traps are testing negative for HLB here in California, but we know it's just a matter of time. So, that' what I was referring to with "the other shoe" - finding HLB in a psyllid or in a tree. Again, I want to emphasize that no one is going to come and destroy your trees if you find the ACP on your trees. The only time this could happen is if they find that the psyllids or your tree is infected with HLB, and to date, this has not happened here in California. Again, however, it is just a matter of time for that "other shoe to drop". Weird phrase we have, I don't know if this originated here in the USA or in Great Britain.

Does this have anything to do with the psyllids too? Discovered it today on the same tree:



Have not yet heard back from the hotline people, but they do have the information.

Suzi

Most likely yes.

Thank you Suzi and Patty. Very clear.

Sylvain.