Deformed leaves on Melaleuca rhaphiophylla

[Joel]

I give up, I have said what it is, I have not have any one explain why a systemic insecticide gets rid of it. Yet some still claim it to be a fungus.
The needles of the rhaphiophylla are hollow, the thrip is minute and attacks the new growth only.

In the 16 years I have been growing them I have not had one experience of it getting onto or affecting any other tree in my collection that is of the Myrtaceae family. Or any other tree in my collection, but what would I know. I have only been working with them for 16 years. All of the people I have consulted have never said it is a fungus, it is a thrip, but let great minds work to gether, I will work on my trees.

Pup

Pup, I never said you were incorrect. I said that, because of the risk and strong presence of Myrtle Rust over here, that it is worth isolating this tree from others. Even if it is not M.R. surely isolation is recommended anyway! I realise you have been in the game for a long time. I am not trying to jeopardise that. I work with horticulturists, botanists and plant pathologists. I am well informed about Myrtle Rust. I have seen Myrtle rust pretty much EVERYWHERE around Sydney. It is here. It is people's collections and most don't even know. I already said you have more experience with these trees but you have NO experience with myrtle rust. It isn't even it W.A. (yet). What's more...

I DON'T THINK IT IS MYRTLE RUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But as I said in the last post, there is insufficient evidence to rule it out. Hence I advised Steven to play it safe and isolate the trees. I stand by my last post, and still believe you could be correct. Don't take my suggestion as an insult to your experience. I know who you are. I envy your trees all the time and I hope to have an amazing collection like yours many years in my future. I don't look at who is saying what. I read the replies and answer what I think is appropriate.

Joel

[Steven]

Despite a bit of controversy I persisted with the Rogor 100 and a hard prune. I pruned back to at least 4 green leaves on every branch then the following morning gave it a good spray of Rogor (1.5ml in 500ml of water). It has now been ten days of mostly warm weather and the Melaleuca has responded beautifully with a flush of new growth. About 60% of the new shoots are lovely and normal while 40% are still deformed.

2011 August after Rogor (1).JPG

2011 August after Rogor (2).JPG

2011 August after Rogor (3).JPG

2011 August after Rogor (4).JPG

I'll give it another spray of Rogor and will update the progress.

Regards,
Steven

[NBPCA]

Hi all,

When I picked up two Mel rhaphiophylla from WA in 2008 there was no sign of the thrip or damage on the two plants.

One was from Pup(a single tree) and one was from another source(A large group from Alf). From memory Alf lived closer to the sea.

Alf told me about the possibility of Thrip.

The group did get some deformed leaves the first year but we trimmed and sprayed with Confidor and Pest Oil and it has never come back.

The single tree has been very near the group from time to time in the collection but never showed any damage.

We now have a microscope so I can look at things closer but so far no need.

I now spray everything preventatively 3 or 4 times per year with Confidor, Pest Oil and Mavric(for Mites),

Hope that helps.

Grant

[Steven]

Thanks Grant, do you remember if the deformed leaves looked the same as these?

Regards,
Steven

[NBPCA]

Thanks Grant, do you remember if the deformed leaves looked the same as these?

Regards,
Steven

Yes

[Steven]

Thanks Grant.

While working on one of my shohin comp entries this morning I noticed a few of these tiny little critters;

Thrip.jpg

Can anyone confirm if this is a thrip?

Regards,
Steven

[Pup]

That one is a mealy Bug not one of the leaf curl thrip.

Cheers Pup

[Steven]

Thanks Pup

Regards,
Steven

[Steven]

Update...

It has been 4 weeks since the 2nd application of Rogor @ 1.5ml in 500ml of water. The tree was also root pruned and repotted 2 weeks ago.
I am happy to report that the tree is now covered in a mass of health new growth. 100% of the new growth is normal

2011 September 22nd.jpg

2011 September 22.jpg

Thanks to Pup for his recommendations and to everyone else for their input.

Regards,
Steven

[Pup]

Thank you Steven. I do appreciate it

Pup

[Bretts]

[smithb]

I really can't detect any yellow spores as you have stated though I would stay closer to have a look at them.

I bet that they sprang up from another source only to destroy where they were earlier and destroy that place.

In my experience though, they have never affected much of my collection trees as well.

[Jason]

Very helpful thread! Am experiencing the same on my Raph

I didn't realise thrip was actually an insect though, I thought it was a disease or something (which is why these forums rock!). Can the little critters be seen with the naked eye?

Might go out and get some Rogor if I can't just pinch off the affected area's

[Pup]

Very helpful thread! Am experiencing the same on my Raph

I didn't realise thrip was actually an insect though, I thought it was a disease or something (which is why these forums rock!). Can the little critters be seen with the naked eye?

Might go out and get some Rogor if I can't just pinch off the affected area's

No not with the naked eye. Marc Widmar can tell you he has said what it is, and he is an entomologist. He has a microscopic picture of them.
He gave it to Dianne for a presentation a while back.

[Jason]

Very helpful thread! Am experiencing the same on my Raph

I didn't realise thrip was actually an insect though, I thought it was a disease or something (which is why these forums rock!). Can the little critters be seen with the naked eye?

Might go out and get some Rogor if I can't just pinch off the affected area's

No not with the naked eye. Marc Widmar can tell you he has said what it is, and he is an entomologist. He has a microscopic picture of them.
He gave it to Dianne for a presentation a while back.

Will have to have a chat with him at the next meeting thanks for that

Am just happy it doesn't spread