Karina G Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 The leaves on my little orange tree (calamondine) are covered in black spots. I've been using a toothbrush and my own nails to scrape them off, but getting each leaf just isn't possible. What can I get or make to treat this? Soapy water doesn't seem to be the answer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideSky Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 My mandarin tree was more black than green and it took several applications of soapy water dousing for it to get back to normal; the black doesn't wash off but the new growth will not have the black spots. I wouldn't try to scrape off the black as you may damage the leaves. The soapy water kills the pest causing the black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 1 hour ago, WideSky said: My mandarin tree was more black than green and it took several applications of soapy water dousing for it to get back to normal; the black doesn't wash off but the new growth will not have the black spots. I wouldn't try to scrape off the black as you may damage the leaves. The soapy water kills the pest causing the black. Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm1mex Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 Probably mildew. There are sprays for that. Check with a garden store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo1 Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 It's caused by aphids. Their poop lands on the leaves where it makes a fungus. There are sprays for the aphids. It's best to catch it early or it can kill your tree. Although, I've seen citrus trees covered with the black fungus and after pruning SEVERELY, the new sprouts are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideSky Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 1 hour ago, sm1mex said: Probably mildew. There are sprays for that. Check with a garden store. Mildew will generally wipe off but black fungus (sooty mold) does not. It is the result of secretions from insects such as aphids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 the black fungus comes from scale which is difficult to wipe out. To prevent the insects from settling spray with watr garlic and chile, that s what my indigenous friends told me to do.. It is more preventve than curative but it helps when the insects that become scale fly around in the spring. Nor we have the palomits or little moth looking things that are everywhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floradude Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 I gave up on citrus here because of the fungus/sooty mold problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedros Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 I sprayed the whole tree with soapy water with Neem oil added to it and then rubbed the black off every leaf by hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 ok if you only have a small tree , you cannot do it on full grown trees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedros Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 6 hours ago, bmh said: ok if you only have a small tree , you cannot do it on full grown trees I can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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