Once he looked so radiantly he althy and lush green. But suddenly white spots appear on the bamboo. Its leaves turn yellowish and some even fall off. Mealybugs probably have a hand in this
How do I recognize and combat mealybugs on bamboo?
When a bamboo mealybug infestation occurs, whitish, wool-like webs, yellowish spots on the leaves and black deposits appear. To combat mealybugs, remove infected shoots, use ecological sprays and encourage beneficial insects such as ladybirds or lacewings near the bamboo.
What do the mealybugs look like?
Depending on the stage of development, the mealybugs are between1 and 12 mm in sizeThey havegreasy, whitish hair and are therefore also called mealybugs designated. They produce wool-like webs under which they hide and gradually attack the bamboo.
Where can I find mealybugs on bamboo?
If your bamboo is infested with mealybugs, you may not notice it immediately, as these little creatures like to sit on theunderside of the leaves. They usually prefer to settle on thefresh shoots. They feel particularly secure on leaves that are not yet fully unfolded.
How do I recognize a mealybug infestation on bamboo?
You can recognize an infestation bywhitish, wool-like webson various parts of the plant. In addition,black depositsappear here and there. These are so-called black fungi that arise from the excretions of mealybugs. Furthermore, the bamboo getsspots, its leaves turn yellow, curl up and finally fall off.
Why are mealybugs detrimental to bamboo?
They suck the leaves and stalks from the bamboo, so that itsnutrient supply is disrupted. The mealybugs also secrete apoisonthat harms the plant. Mealybugs continue to multiply rapidly and uncontrollably. They lay their eggs on the leaves, in the leaf axils and even in the soil. The larvae hatch after 10 days. Therefore, if a mealybug infestation is discovered, action should be taken as soon as possible. Otherwise, the bamboo's vitality and growth will be increasingly impaired.
How can I fight mealybugs on bamboo myself?
Heavily infected shootsshould best beremoved. You can eliminate individual mealybugs. But as a rule this is not very helpful. It has proven to be a good idea to treat the entire plant with anecological spray. You can make this yourself, for example from tea tree oil and water or from nettles with water. The parasites die due to the active ingredients they contain.
Which beneficial insects help eliminate mealybugs?
Beneficial insects eat mealybugs. Suitable beneficial insects includeladybirds, parasitic wasps, lacewings, wasps and hoverflies. In order to preserve these beneficial insects in the garden, it makes sense to build a beneficial insect hotel for them near the bamboo.
How can I prevent mealybugs?
Shower your bamboo on dry, hot days with ahard jet of waterDon't forget the undersides of the leaves too!CheckAlso check the bamboo regularly for mealybug infestation. In addition, it is advisable to onlymoderatelyfertilize the bambooand not to apply too much nitrogen.
Tip
Watering bamboo with field horsetail
As a precaution, water your bamboo with a decoction of field horsetail. To do this, prepare several liters of an extract and water the plant regularly. The field horsetail will strengthen the cell structures of the bamboo and thus make an infestation with mealybugs less likely.
