Recognize and treat diseases

Fungal diseases

Fungi can basically colonize all parts of the plant, from the roots to the flowers and fruits, the entire orange tree is often infested. Mushrooms feel particularly good in a warm, humid climate, which is why you should choose the heat- and moisture-loving oranges should respond in good time to signs of suspicion. Fungal infestation occurs particularly frequently after one too warm overwintering, e.g. B. in the warm living room, or after a scale insect infestation.

Ground rot leads to tree death

The so-called ground rot is probably also caused by a fungus and usually begins at the lower end of the trunk. Initially, some parts of the bark turn dark in color, but later flake off. The tree secretes a gummy liquid at the infected areas. The disease is highly contagious and also spreads over the entire tree - including the roots, which is why the orange tree eventually dies.

The most common pests

In addition to fungi, numerous insect pests also cause problems.

Scale insects

These lice can be recognized by their small tags and are usually located on the undersides of the leaves along the ducts and on the shoots. The larval form is very small (approx. 0.5 mm), white and very mobile. Often you discover first the sticky honey droppingsthat are sprayed by the animals up to 15 centimeters. A sooty fungus tends to settle on these excretions and cover the leaf with black. The adult scale insects can be treated most gently with a mineral oil spray, the larvae with potash soap.

Aphids, mealybugs and mealybugs

Aphid infestation can be recognized from afar by the stunted shoots and twisted leaves. They prefer to stay on soft new shoots. Mealybugs and mealy bugs are whitish to pink in color and up to four millimeters in size. When infested, they can multiply explosively. They sit on the undersides of the leaves, in leaf axils and shoot tips. These lice are treated with the same means as other sucking insects, but several times in a row. This ensures that the young animals which later hatch from the eggs are also fought.

Red citrus spider mite

This spider mite belongs to the sap-sucking arachnids. The adult animals are almost 0.5 millimeters tall and red. An infestation can be recognized by light spots on the leaves. The animals usually sit on the underside of the leaves. In the event of severe infestation, they also form webs there and in the leaf axils, which can spread to the entire tip of the shoot. Spider mites prefer dry air. Increasing the humidity therefore reduces the infestation. Predatory mites can also limit an infestation, but need temperatures around 20 ° C. If they occur more often, spider mites can be fought with a mineral oil spray or potash soap.

Tips & Tricks

An extremely active ant activity in the trunk and root area is extremely suspicious. On the one hand, ants love the sugar excretions of the lice and therefore care for these pests with devotion; on the other hand, they damage their own, in the root ball planted nursery the roots of the plants through their burial activities.