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Diseased bay tree

jaynesharp56jaynesharp56 Posts: 3
in Problem solving

Hi

I have had 2 bay trees since February.  One of them is showing pinkish blobs on the leaves. Something is eating the leaves as well. Im new to these plants so any advice would be appreciated. image

Posts

  • jaynesharp56jaynesharp56 Posts: 3

    Thanks for your response. I will do as you day, but do you know why the pinkish blobs are appearing? They look quite strange. 

    Thanks  Jayne 

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    I think they may be some sort of gall caused by a gall wasp laying an egg between the leaf's layers.  It won't do any harm.  image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • jaynesharp56jaynesharp56 Posts: 3

    Hi again. The problem has passed onto the other bay tree and neither look too healthy. I went out in the dark and saw what I think are vine weevil. It seems they chomp on the edges of leaves leaving holes. They have only affected new leaf growth.

    I have also spotted tiny grey things and white little puffs like cotton wool on the underside of leaves. Could this be bay suckers? Some of the new leaf growth are crinkled up and distorted.

    It seems I may have a couple of different things going on in addition to the pinkish blobs. Any thoughts?

    Thanks 

    Jayne

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    I get infestations on my bay every year Jayne. This is today -
    image

    I haven't really bothered to find out the cause, as I use the bay leaves, so wouldn't spray with anything.
    Sometimes I cut the infected bits off, sometimes I don't. It always recovers and doesn't do any real damage - except to new shoots. After a while the infected leaves drop off and it looks ok again.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505

    Cut off the curly bits and spray the white stuff off with a strong jet of water - before the hosepipe ban!

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    I think the bugs responsible are safely ensconced in the curled-up leaf.
    It'll be fine :)

    I think you're right abt the hosepipe ban tho.... :( 
    The ground is baked hard and apart from a couple of heavy downpours almost no rain in a year


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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