Re: curling oleander leaves
- To: i*@cgac.es
- Subject: Re: curling oleander leaves
- From: M* &* A* G*
- Date: Sat, 01 Jul 2000 10:27:39 +0200
- References: <39570EAF.1193@cgac.es>
As regards pruning, I try to get it done in January or earlier still, as nothing seems capable of
destroying oleander here in Southern Italy apart from lack of light. I've noticed that spring-pruned
oleanders seem to have weaker growth which is easier for aphids to attack. Aphid attack on maturer
specimens, as you pointed out, seems to have a less damaging effect. Perhaps it's a question of having
young and slightly weaker specimens.
Is the curling-in accompanied by the leaves turning black, and does it happen when the leaves are very
young. In that case, I get it too, but it's not really a problem for the plants. I usually just cut
the bits off (when I can be bothered) and allow them to sprout again.
Anthony
iberbier@cgac.es wrote:
> Hello Anthony. Yes, those are the ones I'm embattled with. As I pointed
> out to Moira, I'm not convinced that its the actual aphids which cause
> the curling. I could, of course, be wrong. Reason is comparison with an
> old oleander planted out in the garden which is *covered* in yellow
> aphids this year - I just gave up the fight. Flowering on this plant
> isn't as profuse as other years but there is no curling of the leaves.
>
> The affected plants are youngsters in containers. They get little
> clusters of aphids which I kill off with oil-based spray. Concerning
> pruning, I bought them this winter so I don't know when they were
> pruned. Which *is* the correct season for pruning oleanders? What is the
> connection with aphid infestation?
>
> Damian
> Talavera, central Spain
>
> > In Italy we get a bright yellow aphid which has a similar effect on the plants, probably due
> to
> > removal of the lymph in the leaves. Quite how they survive on such a diet is a mystery to me,
> > but it
> > occurs to me that reserach into it could even lead to an antidote to oleander poisoning.
> > This sort of infestation usually occurs in Italy when the oleanders are pruned too late on in
> > the
> > season. When did you prune yours (if you did?) Damien?
> >
> >
> > Anthony
