A guesstimate on how old ?

[shibui]

I thought I read somewhere that elms don't like systemic pesticides ?

I have not heard that and sincerely doubt its accuracy.
Confidor is one of the recommended treatments for Elm leaf beetle on English elm. On big trees it is injected into the soil so the roots take it up and it travels through the tree to the leaves.

[stocaz]

I must have misunderstood something I read in the past.
Thanks for the advice ill get onto it tommorow.

[Tony Bebb]

Confidor is certainly ok for Elms with Mealy Bug as Shibui said. If you soak spray the whole tree, ie. both sides of leaves and all the bark on the stems and trunk, and then water some into the soil it will be the most effective. The little buggers breed under the soil at the base of the tree and climb up in the night apparently. Confidor is best used 3 times a year on many species as a soak spray to act as a preventitve, then just use contact sprays for minor infestations in between.

If there aren't many on the tree one spray may be enough, but if there are many all over the tree you should spray up to 3 times 7 - 10 days apart so you get the reproduction of eggs. Like spraying weeds with seeds, you have to get the regrowth as well when you spray.

Tony

[stocaz]

Thanks guys

[Pup]

Whenever I have used a systemics on my Elms, (all types) I get leaf drop, that is why I said that. They do not like systemics.
I did however say that it will not kill them. Although I would not recommend it when the temps are around 30+ as they are often over here, because new buds would be burnt.

Cheers Pup

[stocaz]

Whenever I have used a systemics on my Elms, (all types) I get leaf drop, that is why I said that. They do not like systemics.
I did however say that it will not kill them. Although I would not recommend it when the temps are around 30+ as they are often over here, because new buds would be burnt.

Cheers Pup

I wasn't sure where I read it it may have been while I was googling at some stage.
Thanks for clarifying it for me.

Ross