I just purchased a grapefruit tree last week. Today I put it outside because the weather was beautiful. As I was watering it, I notice how easily some of the leafs fell off and thought it odd. Then I noticed a branch tip was brown and dying off. I got a pair of clipper and snipped it off. When I was doing that I noticed what I perceived to be spider mites. Of course I jumped on the Internet and was led to this forum. I have followed some of the links offered in other posts and the best I can figure is I might have scab? Before I came in the house I got a bottle of dish soap, mouthwash and warm water and sprayed the entire plant down. Trying to get the under side of the leafs best. It is really hard for me to say that it is scab that I have for sure, for the simple fact that I have not fruit. I think what ever might be the problem is in the early stages. I bought this at a green house sale from a prison. Therefore I have no history on the plant or even the age. Can anyone please help me figure out what my problem might be. I hate to lose this plant after only having it for a week.
Re: Pruning indoor grapefruit tree Hi Ilean, Here's info on citrus scab. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/CH014 An easy way to tell if you have spider mites is to put a piece of paper under a branch and tap the branch to see if they fall off onto the paper. They're so tiny they are difficult to see otherwise. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Citrus/l2309.htm Maybe this list of symptoms and possible causes will be helpful. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/citrus/table2.html Newt
Re: Pruning indoor grapefruit tree Hi Newt Thanks for responding so quickly. I have looked at all the links you subjected. But I am having a hard time identifying what I have. The tree is small, less than 2 ft tall. The underside of the leafs is what has something on them. And also where the leafs clump together at the top, maybe a graft site? It looks like little white sacks, soft and mushy. I dunno, maybe I am over reacting, but I hate to lose this tree before I even get to enjoy it. Thanks ilean50
Re: Pruning indoor grapefruit tree Little white sacks sounds like cottony cushion scale or mealy bugs. Cottony cushion scale http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7410.html http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/cottony_cushion_scale_parasite.html Mealy bugs http://extension.unh.edu/FHGEC/docs/Mealybug.htm Newt
Re: Pruning indoor grapefruit tree Your tree probably has an insect called Mealy Bug. Mealy Bug is commonly found on citrus trees, and fortunately mealy bug is quite easily controlled by simply spraying the tree with a 1 percent solution of an Horticultural oil. Ultra Fine Horticultural Oil can be found at most all garden centers and big box stores such as Home Depot. There are 100's of threads on this form concerning Mealy bug and Ultra Fine Oil. Use the search function and you will find all the information you need to eradicate the problem. - Millet
