Re: curling oleander leaves
- To: Mediterannean Plants List
- Subject: Re: curling oleander leaves
- From: T* &* M* R*
- Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2000 09:20:49 +1200
- References: <39570980.223@cgac.es>
iberbier@cgac.es wrote:
>
> Mmmm. Not sure, Moira. Only insects in evidence are yellow aphids which
> I keep at bay with the homemade oil spray you suggested some weeks back.
> This makes me think, though: Maybe I'm overdoing it or the concentration
> is too high. Could the leaves be suffering from clogged stomata? These
> are young, very long, leaves. In general the plants seem healthy enough
> - many of them are flowering for the first time. On many of them,
> though, the leaves curl in towards the central nerve. On some the whole
> leaf corkscrews. The effect seems to be worse on hot days.
>
Hi Damien
It is certainly possible that your curling IS spray damage. Some foliage
is known to be sensitive to oil and very young leaves the most likely to
be affected. The reason for them growing curled or in strange shapes is
probably that their growth was affected when young so some parts of the
leaf grew more slowly than others.
If you are having only small patches of aphids on these young plants I
doubt you need anything as drastic as oil to keep them in check. I would
simply use the hose and wash them off with a strong jet of water. This
certainly couldn't cause any leaf damge, especially if you hold a hand
behind young shoots to support them as you do the washing.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
