Latest Tutorial on Techniques and Methods for Preventing and Controlling Pests and Diseases of Red Tip Photinia

Red tip photinia is the collective name for hybrids of the genus Photinia in the rose family (Rosaceae), named for its bright red new shoots and young leaves. It has many cultivated varieties. Common diseases include leaf spot, anthracnose and gray mold, and common pests include aphids, scale insects and longhorn beetles. Let us take a look together below at the common pest and disease prevention and control techniques for red tip photinia!

Gray Mold

[Damage characteristics] Gray mold mainly damages the young twigs, young stems, leaves, flowers and fruits of red tip photinia. The lesions first appear as water-soaked small spots, then expand into large gray patches with irregular concentric rings, and finally the infected parts become covered with a gray mold layer until they necrose or rot.

[Prevention and control methods] Strengthen cultivation management at ordinary times, pay attention to draining standing water, reduce humidity and remove diseased plant debris. Before the rainy season arrives, spray 50% carbendazim 800x solution for prevention; during the disease period, spray 50% zineb 800x solution or thiophanate-methyl 800x solution for control.

Leaf Spot

[Damage characteristics] Leaf spot mainly damages the leaves and stems. When leaves are affected, brown small spots first appear, then gradually expand into angular lesions. The lesions are reddish-brown on the upper surface of the leaf and yellowish-brown on the underside. When the disease is severe, the lesions can merge into patches, and the whole plant may even die.

[Prevention and control methods] In winter and spring, in combination with tending and management, sweep up fallen leaves in a concentrated way to eliminate overwintering pathogens. In March and early June, spray 1% equal-amount Bordeaux mixture once every 10-15 days for prevention; when the disease occurs, use 50% carbendazim 300-400x solution or 50% thiophanate-methyl 300-400x solution for control.

Anthracnose

[Damage characteristics] Anthracnose is a major disease that occurs in red tip photinia during the cutting propagation period. It is more likely to occur under conditions of high temperature and humidity and poor ventilation, and can easily cause red tip photinia to only grow roots without sprouting.

[Prevention and control methods] After the cuttings are finished, always pay attention to the humidity and temperature of the cutting bed, maintain good ventilation, and remove severely damaged diseased leaves. In the early stage of the disease, spray 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder 500-1000x solution or 65% zineb wettable powder 600x solution for control, and spray again after 7-10 days.

Aphids

[Damage characteristics] Aphids, also known as greasy bugs or honey bugs, gather as adults or nymphs on the young buds, tender stems or tender leaves of red tip photinia and use their needle-like piercing-sucking mouthparts to suck the plant's sap, causing the leaves to curl and shrink toward the underside, directly affecting the growth and ornamental value of red tip photinia. They can also cause sooty mold. Their reproductive capacity is large, and they can easily cause disasters in dry seasons.

[Prevention and control methods] Generally, when the temperature rises in spring, spray 10% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000x solution, malathion emulsifiable concentrate 1000-1500x solution, or dichlorvos emulsifiable oil 1000x solution. In the aphid peak season from March to October, use agents such as yashijing or yashiling and spray once every 7 days to prevent adults from causing disaster.

Scale Insects

[Damage characteristics] Scale insects mainly include white round scale insects and others. They damage the terminal buds and tender twigs of red tip photinia. When the infestation is severe, they can cover the entire branches and leaves, can cause sooty mold, and affect ornamental value.

[Prevention and control methods] Spray 10%-15% diesel emulsion before spring budding for prevention. When the pest occurs, spray 40% omethoate 1000x solution, or 2.5% deltamethrin 2500x solution, 20% jusha emulsifiable oil 2500x solution, or 40% supusha emulsifiable oil 1500x solution, all of which can achieve good control results.

Longhorn Beetles

[Damage characteristics] Longhorn beetles mainly bore into the branches and trunks of red tip photinia during the larval stage. The damage lasts a relatively long time, affecting the plant's growth and development, weakening tree vigor, allowing pathogens to invade, and making the tree prone to breaking in the wind. When the damage is severe, the entire plant dies, seriously affecting ornamental value.

[Prevention and control methods] The control of longhorn beetles is mainly carried out through a combination of multiple measures, such as whitewashing the trunk to deter adults from laying eggs, manually catching and killing eggs, larvae and adults, and injecting medicinal solution into trunk insect holes. For the agents, 50% malathion emulsifiable oil, 50% dichlorvos emulsifiable oil, 40% omethoate emulsifiable oil, 2.5% deltamethrin emulsifiable oil 200x solution and others can be selected.