AusBonsai

Hi Guys,
My English Elms are taking a beating from tiny little caterpillars eating the leaves. They are slowing the growth of the trees immensely and the trees look ragged. I've noticed that they particularly seem to like lower, weaker branches on the trees. I think they have even been eating the Zelkovas as well.

Anyone out there had the same problem? What did you do to treat the problem?

Thanks

Hi Webos, Yates Dipel is an organic product that works well see here:http://www.yates.com.au/products/organi ... ler-dipel/

Cheers
Mojo Moyogi

Webos wrote:Hi Guys,
My English Elms are taking a beating from tiny little caterpillars eating the leaves. They are slowing the growth of the trees immensely and the trees look ragged. I've noticed that they particularly seem to like lower, weaker branches on the trees. I think they have even been eating the Zelkovas as well.

Anyone out there had the same problem? What did you do to treat the problem?

Thanks

Are they little black hairy ones??? Elm grub??? Confidor.

Thanks a lot guys.. I have some confidor so I'll start with that. If it doesnt work, then I'll go out and look for Mojo's recommendation.

Ant, the caterpillars are a dark greeny/brown and destructive

Webos, you can try this one it's my grandma's...


CATERPILLARS & OTHER CHEWERS
Control by spraying plants with molasses spray. Makes plants distasteful to chewers. The only thing that beats grasshoppers is fine net!

Molasses Spray
1 tblspn molasses to 1 litre warm water and a few drops of soft soap.

I thought I read somewhere that Elms and Confidor don't mix, can anyone confirm/deny this? My English elm has been eaten alive all summer, I have Confidor but have been too scared to use it.

i know chinese elm dont like pesticides etc. at all as for english elm i couldnt be certain but until it is confirmed i would wait, i know your tree is getting defoliated un intentionally by these buggers, if i was to try anything i would go with the molasses spray and see how that works, it seems more natural then any chemical.


jamie

Jamie wrote:i know chinese elm dont like pesticides etc. at all

Oh crap! Just this afternoon I drenched my Chinese Elm in Natrasoap - and I mean drenched!

natrasoap may be an exception but i cannot be a hundred percent positive
i would google if it is safe for chinese elm or someone might have personal experience with it.


jamie

Elms don't like systemics, confidor is a systemic insecticide.

Mojo Moyogi