What to Do When a Money Tree's Leaves Have Pests? A Detailed Guide to Prevention and Control
The scientific name of the money tree is Pachira aquatica (Malabar chestnut), a tree in the Malvaceae family, genus Pachira, native to Mexico in Central America and Costa Rica. It was introduced to China in the 1960s, and today it is widely cultivated in Yunnan, Hainan, Fujian and other places in China. Thanks to its auspicious symbolism, and because it has a graceful shape and is easy to manage, it sells very well on the market. So what should you do when a money tree's leaves have pests?
1. The main pests of the money tree and control measures
The main pests of the money tree include the banana moth (Opogona sacchari), scale insects, red spider mites and root-knot nematodes. When pests appear on the leaves of a money tree, you should determine the type of pest according to the specific symptoms and take targeted measures to treat the right problem.
Opogona sacchari is a species in the family Tineidae, genus Opogona. It was listed as an invasive alien species in China in 2002. It is a boring pest that gnaws through the cortex of the plant, and its larvae overwinter in the potting soil. After the weather warms up in spring, they gnaw the bark and leaves of the tree. The main chemical control method is to regularly spray or drench the plant with a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate or a 2000-fold dilution of 25% imidacloprid.
During the cultivation of money trees, it is common for ants to crawl all over the tree. Although ants basically do not affect the growth of the money tree, they have a great impact on the marketability of the finished product. They can be killed by catching them by hand. The main chemical control method is to regularly spray or drench the plant with a 2000-fold dilution of 25% imidacloprid, and 3% phoxim granules can also be scattered in the pot for control.
The red spider mite, also known as the cotton red spider mite, is very widely distributed in China. It mainly harms many vegetable crops such as those in the Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae and Liliaceae families, and its range of damage can reach more than 110 kinds of plants. The damage is usually most severe from late June to early July, and the common symptom is that the leaves of the whole tree turn yellow and whitish. The main chemical control method is to spray evenly with a 4000-5000-fold dilution of pyridaben, or a 1000-1500-fold dilution of 40% dicofol emulsifiable concentrate, or a 2000-fold dilution of 20% clofentezine wettable powder.
The root rot nematode, also called the root-lesion nematode, is distributed all over the world. It mainly harms the root system and other underground organs of the host plant, and occasionally infects aboveground parts such as stems, leaves and fruits. The tissues of the infected parts turn dark brown, appear water-soaked, and have wounds on the surface. The main chemical treatment method is to use non-fumigant nematicides such as fenamiphos, fenamiphos, miral, and phorate for control.
The above is some relevant knowledge about money tree pests. When growing money trees, you should check them frequently to avoid causing the death of the money tree through negligence.