Growths on Crab Apple roots

[reddoggy]

Hi out there. can anybody help me please, I was doing a bit of work on my crab apple this morning and have noticed a number of small round growths on some surface roots (see not so good picture)
Are these going to harm the tree in the long run as I have to admit the tree is not looking that happy but that may be due to the time of year.
Would appreciate some help please as I would not like to loose the tree if it is harmful and maybe can be treated.
Thanks
reddoggy

[bodhidharma]

These are nematodes and there is a whole section on them on this site. Just type in nematodes.

[reddoggy]

Thanks Bodi, have searched on them and as you say there is a whole section on them but I still cannot see if they are going to kill the tree and if so what is the best treatment,do I bare root it and cut all the infected roots off and then repot in completely different soil, on thread even said to destroy the tree, I would rather not go this severe treatment if there an alternative or maybe a chemical treatment
Would appreciate any more help please.

[bodhidharma]

O.K, there is some control but it is severe. I had it on a few of my trees and as a experiment i cut the nematodes off the root system off one tree and treated it with lime sulpher and repotted. I then fertilised it and also put it in a completely new pot and free draining mix and the tree is surviving but not well. I burnt the rest, this was about twenty trees. I cannot take a risk in my nursery. Probably not what you want to hear. If you research further and are prepared to try the one advice i will give is to get rid of the soil and pot. I also bare rooted the tree to do this. I will wait until next spring to see if i was successful.

[Guy]

Quarantine the plant and soil from all others -----not sure, but if only the in-ground section is affected I would air layer a couple of inches up the trunk then discard the cut off lower section (bin or burn)----keep in quarantine for a couple of years until the roots show how effective the treatment.If the pot is important I would clean(preferably over a bin) then perhaps soak in bleach for a period .

[reddoggy]

Cut the affected root off and took out to Ray Nesci and put in a plastic sealed bag and he told me that it is Mealy Bug root damage but have done a lot of research on google and I cannot find any info on this sought of damage by mealy bug.
Is there anybody out there foe a third opinion as I know Bodhi and Ray Nesci both have nurseries and are very experienced so what hope have I got,is there a lab I can send them to as I don`t want to loose this tree.
I realise it is going to be hard to identify with a pretty poor picture but any opinions would be appreciated.

[Petra]

take it to your local council,they may test it for you. but dont tell them its from a bonsai. Another one to take it to is a tree doctor. Most likely they'll charge like a bull at a gate, but you need to know for sure hey

[kcpoole]

I thought Bretts hada tree tested( Maple) for disease and may be able to help where to get tests done

Ken

[Craig]

Cut the affected root off and took out to Ray Nesci and put in a plastic sealed bag and he told me that it is Mealy Bug root damage but have done a lot of research on google and I cannot find any info on this sought of damage by mealy bug.
Is there anybody out there foe a third opinion as I know Bodhi and Ray Nesci both have nurseries and are very experienced so what hope have I got,is there a lab I can send them to as I don`t want to loose this tree.
I realise it is going to be hard to identify with a pretty poor picture but any opinions would be appreciated.

https://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/cro ... ibisci.htm

https://www.bonsaimary.com/mealy-bugs.html

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=6176&start=0

https://www.bonsaiforbeginners.com/mealybug.html

[Glenda]

Several things I read said to put mothballs in the soil to control mealy bugs. Something I will try, as I have a few - and I notice ants in the soil of most of my plants.

Glenda

[Grant Bowie]

If it is mealy Bug there is usually white fluffy looking stuff (the root mealy bugs)around the damage and if you touch or squash it there is some purplish or red residue (the squashed mealy bug). Also you will usually see bugs on the trunk, branches and leaves as well.

They attack some Crab apples but not others; for instance I found they did not attack "Profusion" but did attack "Floribunda" . You treat with Confidor.

However the pictures you have shown show no live mealy bugs that i can see.

Grant

[reddoggy]

Yes Grant, I did have mealy bug on the tree and treated with confidore but I cannot find any info on root damage that they maybe do,but Ray Nesci was pretty sure when he saw the sample.
Thanks to the other guys for your opinions, I am only a newbie so I am taking it all in.

[Craig]

did you read the links i left for you at all ?

http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/cro ... ibisci.htm


[Quote]--Damage by the root mealybug is nonspecific in that the most common symptoms are slow plant growth, lack of vigor and subsequent death. Root mealybug is not evident unless the root ball is examined by removing the plant’s pot. White, waxy substance and adult females will be noticeable especially between the pot and root ball (Figs. 1 & 2). Plants that are slow-growing, root-bound, or under environmental or nutritional stress are more susceptible to mealybug infestation.



http://www.bonsaimary.com/mealy-bugs.html

[Quote]---Symptoms and Detection
An important part of taking care of bonsai trees is to observe them on a regular basis.
In this case, leaves may be pale (sometimes grayish) or wilted, despite regular fertilizer and watering. Maybe the plant growth has slowed down and/or flowering has ceased. In severe cases, the leaves may be misshapen.

To detect root mealy bugs in a well-established bonsai, gently lift it out of its container and look at the sides and bottom of the root mass. Many times you need to search no further.

Although they occur throughout the roots, they are most obvious along the edges. They can also appear on the inside walls of the container and sometimes even underneath the pot.

Also, while pulling weeds, observe any soil that may come up with them.

I have seen bad infestations continue out of containers onto old wood nursery benches!


http://www.infonet-biovision.org/default/ct/94/pests

[Quote]----Damage


Mealybugs damage plants by sucking sap from roots, tender leaves, petioles and fruit. They excrete honeydew on which sooty mould develops. Severely infested leaves turn yellow and gradually dry. Severe attack can result in shedding of leaves and inflorescences, reduced fruit setting and shedding of young fruit. The foliage and fruit may become covered with sticky honeydew, which serves as a medium for the growth of sooty moulds.

Honeydew, sooty mould and waxy deposits may cover leaves reducing photosynthetic efficiency and may lead to leaf drop. Contamination of fruit with honeydew and with sooty mould reduces its market value. The honeydew attracts ants, which collect the honey and protect indirectly mealybugs from natural enemies. Some mealybugs inject toxic substances while feeding causing deformation of the plant (e.g. the cassava mealybug). Some species transmit viruses (e.g. the pineapple mealybug).

[reddoggy]

Thanks Craig, very helpful, I think I now know it is not Mealy Bug but the dreaded Nematodes like Bodhi said first, I will go back to Ray Nesci next week and give him another look at the sample roots that I cut off the tree after taking the picture at the start of the thread.

[Bretts]

I thought Bretts hada tree tested( Maple) for disease and may be able to help where to get tests done

Ken

Call your nearest BIG botanical garden and if they do not do the testing they will know who does.