I purchased a new potted lemon tree this week, three feet high with buds and tiny lemons. It is Dwarf Lisbon Lemon. Question, can it pick up scale from another lemon tree in the same greenhouse? Also, can I treat infected tree and with what? I was told to spray the Dwarf Lisbon every couple of weeks with Safers. I don't want to lose this plant as it wasn't cheap. I also hate to throw out the old non-blooming one. Perhaps I should. Please help. Jennifer
It would be prudent to isolate a tree if it is infested with scale. The juvenile form of this pest is mobile but much less so than other common pests such as spider mites and aphids. A buffer zone helps to avoid incidental contact with unaffected trees. Keep in mind stronger air currents can carry bugs some distance. Insecticidal soap can be used to treat scale. As much of the adults should be removed as possible before treatment as eggs or live juveniles can be hidden underneath the shells.
