How can I help my tamarillo tree grow?

[AlejoGC]

My Tamarillo tree used to look so healthy. Now the leaves are looking pretty sad and the fruit is taking forever to ripen. I realised these are two different issues but any help would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance

[EricL]

Hello @AlejoGC 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fantastic to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your tamarillo tree.

Looking at the photos that you posted it seems like three things are happening at the same time. Your first photo shows tiny white insects which I suspect are either aphids or whiteflies. The second photo shows tiny black dots above and below the leaf which is an indicator of black spot fungus, and third photo shows your fruits, but if you look at the background, you'll see that the leaves behind are burned at the edges which could possibly mean that the plant is overfertilized.

I suggest addressing the black fungus first before we proceed to the other issues. I recommend using Yates 200ml Liquid Copper Fungicide to control the fungus. Make sure to spray both above and underneath the leaves. Give the fungicide a few days to settle in before using a soapy water spray on the whiteflies. If there are any traces of fertilizer left on top of your soil, I suggest removing them before you water your plant.

Let me call on our experienced members @Noelle and @Adam_W for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[AlejoGC]

Hi EricL, many thanks for taking the time to address my concerns about my Tamarillo tree. I will go ahead and take the measures you suggested. Thank you again for your time.👌🏽

[Noelle]

Hi @AlejoGC 

Definite case of aphids in the first photo. Aphids may be white, black or green so possibly all the spots are aphids in this picture. The black specks on the underside of the leaf may also be aphids.

An ecoOil or ecoNeem (both organic insecticides) spray will eradicate the aphids. Read the label for application instructions and use PPE if recommended.  Make sure to thoroughly wet both upper and lower sides of the leaves. 

I suspect the black deposit on the upper surface of the leaf may be sooty mould - a fungal infection which grows on the sticky secretions of aphids and other insects (including scale). Once the aphids are eradicated, the sooty mould should also disappear - it will have nothing to grow on.

If necessary you could follow the treatment suggested by Eric, but wait and see what happens after you have controlled the aphids.

The brown leaf margins are most likely, in my opinion, due to water stress - either too much or too little watering - rather than over-feeding. The tree should be kept moist but not wet - allow the top 50mm or so of soil to become quite dry before watering again.  Two or three deep waterings a week while it is warm should be adequate.

[AlejoGC]

Hi Noelle,

Thank you kindly for sharing your insights with me. Turns out I have a bottle of neem oil so I shall get straight onto treating the aphids.

Thank you

[MitchellMc]

Hi @AlejoGC, 

It's great to see you've received advice from one of our horticultural specialists @Noelle. I'm also pleased to hear that you have some Neem Oil on hand. Remember to wear PPE when using the product, especially when mixing, including safety glasses, a long-sleeved shirt and rubber gloves.

Please reach out if you see no improvements over the coming weeks or if you have further questions.

Mitchell

[AlejoGC]

Thank you kindly for this valuable information 🙏🏽😊