Since I bought the tree it has what looks like small grains of transparent sand on the leaves. There are no eyes or legs and no damage to the tree. It comes back even after spraying with the hose, So what the heck is it? Does this plant just make sand?
Thanks!
Caren
Cananga Odorata question
I'll look at mine tomorrow morning and see if there is 'sand'. Not scale?
Caren, it could be spider mites. Is your tree inside the house or in your greenhouse? "Transparent sand" sounds like spider mites to me or the nymphs of spider mites perhaps? Maybe termite droppings?
I have two different Canangas, and they are both in my portable greenhouse and loving the heat and humidity in there. They are very cold sensitive even in my Zone 10b so I keep them in the portable greenhouse in the wintertime. Here is a picture taken in December. You can see both Canangas in the greenhouse. The big tree has really grown and filled out quite a bit since just a month ago and is currently putting out new leaves. I am hoping for flowers, but there is no sign of them so far on the regular one, but they are forming on my dwarf one.
I need to get me a greenhouse for next year but for now its in my house at night and outside durning the day. Its maybe three ft. Its putting out a bunch of new leaves and looks very happy. If the "sand" is some kind of bug what is the best action to take? I tested a small branch with neem and it looked like it burned the branch (turned it black) but, the leaves seem to be ok. Do you think it could take a bayer systemic drench? Its so pretty I would just hate to kill it!
Heavinscent, I have grown at least 2 or 3 plants that get these crystal like secretions on them. Doesn't seem to hurt the plant. A species begonia
I grew from seed would get them until a couple of yrs ago. Also a
medinilla I had at the time also had them. I called Logees, several yrs ago, and
talked to a grower. He told me they would not hurt the plant but couldn't
explain to me exactly what caused them.
This may or may not be what's on your plant. I tried to google for it
but that doesn't work when you use terms like, clear, salt like crystals,
sticky granules etc. lol
Jackie
Caren, I've used Neem on my Cananga without any problem, but you can also use soapy water or Safer's insecticidal soap or just give the leaves a good rinse with the hose. If you use a 10x magnifiying glass, you might be able to see if they are mites or not. Do you see any webbing at all? I've not seen the crystal secretions that Jackie mentions, but if it is that, then that is good news. I probably wouldn't do the Bayer Systemic Drench right now because your tree might be stressed and because it might make your house stinky! LOL! If you can hose the leaves regularly, that should keep them to a minimum until your tree is outside full time, and then you can treat with a miticide if they are still there in the spring. HTH