AusBonsai

Hi
Can anyone identify and offer a cure for these things?
They've multiplied a bit over this summer and it's starting to concern me.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks....Darren.

Now that's a ship load of scale by the look of it! My understanding is outbreaks like this can happen when the tree is in a poorly ventilated spot. Where do you keep it?

The multiplying will be due to the scale being covered by its shell. It attaches itself to the branch/leaf in order to leach out the nutrients. While it's in that position it lays eggs that once hatched, walk out to fine their own spot to feed before repeating the process.

I have never treated it myself so seek Google and the advice of the more experienced on here before you act. My understanding is small amounts can simply be picked off with your nail. Soapy water can be used on larger amounts, this is best repeated around 2-3 times spaced out approximately 10(?) days apart - they suffocate and simply fall off. I believe mass amounts like you find yourself with should best be treated with a systemic pesticide in order to try rid the buggers due to the pure amount involved.

Or if it's just the one branch you could always decide to cut it off will be an instant cure if you're willing.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Yep, some sort of scale insect. Probably pink wax scale which is a soft scale as distinct from the related hard scale insects. Usually treated with a horticultural oil spray but you will need to cover every part of the tree to get them all. Read instructions on the container. Oils can be harmful in hot weather.
Systemic insecticides should also treat soft scale. The advantage is that these translocate through the entire plant so you can kill all the pests even if you don't get the spray on all parts of the tree. Try Confidor or another product with imacloprid.

Confidor or you can rub them off with your fingers then rinse off with water. I do this when I see the beginings of scale before infestation. If you do rub them off because you have so many it will probably take you awhile to get them all.
Cheers
Kirky

Yates scale gun. In yellow bottle from Bunnings. Worked a treat on my infestation. Very handy as it is already to go. Try covering the soil so as not to have too much soak into it. You need to saturate the plant. After a week they will have died but I found a lot of the shells remain. When you touch them it crumbles and falls away. Get a toothbrush if you do not wish to use fingers. Then reapply after another week or so to ensure all are dead.

Awesome!
thanks again for your the info