Before and After

So sorry Clare ... hope everything else is going to be okay!

Thanks, Deb. I appreciate that. I'll be very happy if my Pink Beauty tree does not get it. That would be devastating. I have to do a search for thrips to find out what they look like so I can be on the lookout for them. If they have a natural predator, like lady bugs, I might have to go get a few hundred of them.

Who knew there were 6,000 different thrips in the world? Here's a link: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/gh-thrips.html

This is interesting: http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/tswv.htm

Last one: http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/agency/Pubns/farmnote/1993/F04193.htm

Since brugs are in the same family as tomatoes and potatoes, they are as susceptible as those plants. This is just good information to know, but I don't know if it can be prevented really.

I have just one little branch of Pink Beauty that has some unusual marks on the stem. You can see them on the branch in this picture. I am still hopeful that it is not a sign of a virus.

Here is a closer look:

I was trying to capture with my camera the beauty of the just opening flowers:

Clare, I surely hope this isn't a virus, the blossom is just beautiful!!!!

Almost looks like a stress crack,does it show any dark color?
You may have to get a couple of big pots for that corner,sure hope you can keep Brugs there,they look so good on your fence.

Thanks so much, Sherry and Root. Doc, I am delighted to hear that there are such things as a stress crack! The wind whips through here so perhaps that is wind damage. If I am in denial, let me live there for a while. There are no dark spots or other problems it seems. Thanks for your help and for your compliments.

Your welcome Clare,not sure if that is what you call them,or if I am correct,I just know mine come up with cracks from wind,and bruises from tumbling off the deck.

I'll take it. It sounds perfectly logical to me. Besides, you are always right! This tree is going to bloom again and is looking fairly healthy so I have no reason to believe that it is anything other than healthy. Hugs to you.