Yates Nature's Way Organic Citrus, Vegie & Ornamental Spray
Unique organically certified pyrethrum and plant-based oil combination insecticide, with twin modes of action against garden pests.
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Capnodium sp., Fumago sp., Scorias sp.
What is Sooty Mould?
'Sooty mould' describes a group of fungal species that cover plant leaves and stems with a black, ashy-looking film. Sooty mould grows on the sticky honeydew secreted by sucking insects, like scale, aphids or mealybugs, so it indicates an infestation of insect pests.
Sooty mould doesn't feed directly on the plant, but it does suppress plant health, by blocking sunlight from the surface of leaves. This prevents photosynthesis, so when a thick layer of sooty mould builds up the plant doesn't receive adequate nutrition.
The sucking insects that are the underlying cause of sooty mould feed on plants, to extract nutritious sugars from their sap. They excrete honeydew as a waste product. Honeydew is a sticky mixture of unused sugars and water, that ants find very attractive as a food source. This explains why ants are commonly present alongside sooty mould.
Controlling the insects that encourage sooty mould will remove the source of the honeydew, so the sooty mould will eventually flake or wash off the leaf surfaces.
Symptoms
Black sooty, ash-like growth covering any part of the leaf, stem or branch of plants. Usually it can be rubbed off with soap and water.
Yates Conqueror Spraying Oil
An intermediate spraying oil for control of scale, mites and mealy bug on fruit trees, grapes and ornamentals.
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Powdery Mildew
A fungus that spreads a white or ash-grey film over the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves of plants - usually the older leaves.
Downy Mildew
A fungal disease common in young vegetable plants, identified by yellow spots on top of leaves, and downy, whitish tufts or spores on the underside of the leaf.
Rust
Rust fungus is easily identified by the multitudes of orange or red pustules on leaves or stems, that break open and release masses of spores.
Ants
Ants don't damage plants directly, but can aggravate the damage caused by sap-sucking insects, by protecting them from predators. Ants are a nuisance when they invite themselves indoors, so here's how to control the situation.
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