Check for scale insects

[PLUMPUDDING]

I've noticed quite a few scale insects this morning while checking the indoor peach, grapefruit and lime.

These are much easier to see and scrape off before the peach blossom and leaves start into growth in the next month or so.

I've also given the lime and grapefruit a spray with a fruit and vegetable insecticide in case I've missed any. They were badly affected last year and covered in sooty mould too.

[oldherbaceous]

A very good post Plumpudding.....someone asked me to look at their stone floored porch the other day, as it had gone black. they had a large Oleander in there and it was covered in scale insects....so the reason for the black floor was soon answered.

[Monika]

A good reminder, Plumpudding. My small bay tree (which is kept in the unheated greenhouse over winter) has black patches on the leaves and I wondered whether it is sooty mould from scale insects - will check tomorrow with a magnifying glass!