Hi bunnings team,
Can you please have a look on my plants does they need fertiliser at the moment.I fertilise them a week ago but leafs look yellowish and can you please tell me who is eating the leafs as i couldn't find who is eating leafs.
Someone is eating my capsicum plant mint and citrus.Is it good time to fertilise capsicum as it producing capsicums but in small size.
I got ants and scale problem few months ago on my citrus plants, i sprayed with scale gun as you recommended but after blossom all little mandrin fell off what's the reason last year it produced 12,13 mandrin plant is three year old.I want to ask it wouldn't produce fruit this year or is there any chance.
My myer lemon got sooty mold same time when mandrin had scales.I sprayed twice with scale gun please tell me does it need more spray or it is fine.Myer lemon has big green lemon since last three months but not yellowing.
Please Have a look a little white and blue pot plant grew by itself is it weed or poisonous and i need to remove it.
The plants are under cover right now. As i water,lots of soil coming out of pots.Can you please tell me how to make a pot as i put only soil and plant .
Thanks
Bisma
Hello @bisma
Your plants are actually looking healthier than you may think, so you are doing a good job overall. I can see fresh green growth on the citrus and the capsicum is still producing fruit, which means the plants are still active and growing. The slight yellowing on some leaves is more likely from stress, pests, watering changes, and being kept under cover rather than from needing more fertiliser immediately. Since you fertilised only a week ago, I would not add more fertiliser yet because too much can stress the roots and encourage leaf growth instead of fruit. Wait another 3 to 4 weeks before feeding again. When you do fertilise, a gentle slow-release fertiliser like https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotts-osmocote-500g-citrus-and-fruit-controlled-release-fertiliser-500g_p2961295 from the store is a good choice for both citrus and capsicum.
The holes in the capsicum, mint, and citrus leaves look like chewing insect damage, most likely caterpillars, earwigs, or slugs/snails hiding during the day. The capsicum damage especially looks like caterpillar feeding. Go outside at night with a torch and you will probably find them. The ants are also a clue because ants often protect scale insects and aphids. Even though the scale problem improved after spraying, there are still signs of minor pest activity on the citrus. A product like Yates Nature’s Way Citrus, Vegie & Ornamental Insect Spray (special order) from the store is still suitable because it treats scale, caterpillars, aphids, and mites while being safer for edible plants. You do not need heavy spraying now if the scale is mostly gone. One light follow-up spray under the leaves and around stems should be enough.
The small mandarins falling off after flowering is very common, especially on younger citrus trees. Stress from scale insects, ants, weather changes, or spraying around flowering time can all cause fruit drop. Citrus trees also naturally drop extra fruit they cannot support. Since your mandarin tree is only three years old, it is still maturing and some seasons will be lighter than others. There is still a chance it may hold a few fruits later if the tree stays healthy, so do not lose hope.
Your Meyer lemon actually looks quite healthy overall. The sooty mould happens because insects like scale leave sticky sap behind, and the black mould grows on it. Once the pests are controlled, the mould usually fades away slowly or can be gently washed off. I do not think it needs more spraying unless you still see live scale insects. The large green lemon staying green for months is normal, especially in cooler weather or lower sunlight under cover. It should slowly colour up later.
The mint looks healthy and growing well. The little white and blue pot plant in the front looks dried out and finished rather than poisonous, so I would remove it because it is no longer useful and may attract pests.
The soil washing out of the pots happens because the potting mix is loose and uncovered. Adding mulch on top, such as https://www.bunnings.com.au/richgro-70l-pine-bark-mulch-70l_p2980101 from the store, will help keep the soil in place and stop moisture drying too quickly. Water slowly rather than with a strong stream so the soil stays settled. Your plants still have good strength, and with a bit more sunlight, airflow, and regular checking under leaves, they should recover nicely.
Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @bisma,
You had quite a few things happening across the different plants there, so I was interested to hear how everything settled down after treating the pests and adjusting the care routine.
Did the citrus start improving once the scale and ants were brought under control? I’d also be curious to hear whether the capsicum ended up sizing up better over time.
You’ve clearly been putting a lot of effort into looking after them all, so hopefully the plants have rewarded you with some healthier new growth since then. If anything is still giving you trouble, feel free to post an update with some fresh photos.
Mitchell
