Orange and Lemon Trees

somewhereweknow

I have a orange and lemon tree in my conservatory. Over the last couple of weeks they have suddenly got really sticky leaves and this has caused the window ledges under them in the conservatory to get really sticky too.

Any ideas what causes them to get so sticky and how can i cure it (except from hacking back the branches)?

theoretica

Have a close look for aphids, scale insects or similar pests.

radiohelen

I'm with theoretica... look at the branches, have they got little brown patches about half a cm across on them? Try squishing one. If it oozes gunk it's a scale insect and you need to take action to get rid of them. I spray but then I don't like it when stuff messes with my citrus.

DaftyDuck

Mine had caterpillars - pulled leaves together to make hidey-holes, then burrowed into the fruit. I tried various insecticide sprays with little effect.... squishing the blighters worked best, and was worryingly satisfying

Bettie

I had a plant with scale on but never noticed until I saw a line of ants wandering through my room and up into the branches then realised how sticky the plant and surroundings were.

goldnet

I have a orange and lemon tree in my conservatory. Over the last couple of weeks they have suddenly got really sticky leaves and this has caused the window ledges under them in the conservatory to get really sticky too.

Any ideas what causes them to get so sticky and how can i cure it (except from hacking back the branches)?

Almost certainly scale insect (you'll see them clustered under the leaves or as small bumps on stems). You can use a systemic insectide to kill them from within but it sometimes takes a long time to reach the leaves (and not great if your plant grows fruit!) or, tediously, wipe them off using a cloth and methylated spirits. You should remove them as the sticky sap they exude can cause a sooty/black mould to form.

somewhereweknow

Thanks everyone - they're looking a bit better now

alanobrien

Spray with Provado, job done
Works for me every time.