Everywhere I look, there is work that needs to be done. It isn’t even the most obvious things to most ordinary folk out there. It’s more the stuff that isn’t noticeable unless you look closely and want to improve and fix a plant problem, rather than just using the metaphorical bandage to solve a problem without actually solving the problem if that makes sense?

I will use one hedge as an example that I’ve come across recently. The species of the hedge is a Lilly pilly, or Syzigium smithii. It is an attractive plant with red new growth on it, which is fabulous. As I was tidying this hedge up today, there were a few issues.

In the photo below, you can see that the plant has sooty mould (black stuff on leaves) and scale (the white blobs on the stem), both of which can be a problem for any plant if the infestation is big enough.

Any plants can end up with a pest or disease problem, but the point of today’s post is to make the point that in order to reduce the pest and disease occurrence long-term, you need to ensure that plants and the soil are healthy.

Why? Healthy plants and healthy soils help keep all types of pests and diseases away, just like a healthy person can. Ensure that plants have adequate nutrition, enough sunlight and water and that is a great start. With the soil, it needs good structure (no compaction which prevents air and moisture getting to plant roots and soil organisms), plenty of organic matter and, depending on the plant, either good drainage or its not bothered! In this area, finding out what the plant requirements for soil type, water needs and nutritional requirements are are very helpful as they can save a lot of heartache if your favourite plant was to die (along with costing extra money you don’t need, or want, to spend)!

What can be done about these pests?

Sooty mould is actually a few species of fungi that grow on the honeydew secreted by sap sucking insects, and can cause reduced photosynthesis and early falling of leaves. So, apart from ensuring a healthy plant, the best way to control this problem is to control ants as they protect sap sucking insects as they are rather partial to honeydew and the so-called good bugs will help control the spa-sucking insects. To control ants you can band the trunks with horticultural glue to stop ants climbing. If you control sap sucking insects, the sooty mould will stop growing on honeydew and then dries out before falling off leaves. You can also try hosing off the sooty mould.

For the scale, which I think is wax scale, also produce lots of honeydew, thus encouraging sooty mould. The most environmentally sound way to control scale is to encourage good bugs like ladybirds and lacewing larvae. minor infestations can be brushed off with a toothbrush dipped into a soap solution. Registered insecticides can also be used here-check with the relevant authorities in your country as to what can be used and follow instructions.

Soil issues

Around the lilly pilly, the soil is really compacted. Due to the situation in which it sits, I’d love to put some well-rooted compost and then some mulch around the roots to help start the process of sorting this out.

If I have any compost left, I’ll do this once my other uses of the compost have been done.