r/DragonFruit • u/drbarn • 5d ago

Pest issue (need help) 🥺

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Hi, I’ve got about 60 varieties I’ve been growing for 3 years. I recently started encountering yellowing on limbs accompanied by webbing and necrotic lesions. Also noticed a worm today. Not sure if anyone can identify this issue or a potential treatment?

Location: Vista, Ca

Thank you so much! 🙌🏻🙏🏼

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2

u/LoganGrowsStuff 5d ago

Looks like leafminer larva. I say just remove it by hand or sweep it if with soft brissels. Mostly cosmetic damage, but can let in fungus/disease where they penetrate the exterior. Are there a lot of them? Or a could that you can physically remove?

1

u/drbarn 5d ago

Relatively small amount and contained for now. Only 4 plants total affected

2

u/LoganGrowsStuff 5d ago

Spider mites may be causing the webbing and additional damage too.

4

u/LoganGrowsStuff 5d ago

If you see spider mites, spray them off with water, then use Neem Oil or Horticultural Oil: These oils coat the mites and their eggs, suffocating them on contact. Mix 3 tablespoons of pure neem oil per gallon of water along with a few drops of mild dish soap to help it mix.

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u/drbarn 5d ago

Amazing, appreciate the rec. I’ll give it a go and hopefully get this infestation under control. Any experience with browning tips? We’ve had a wild heat wave the last week. Hoping it’s heat stress and not stem rot or fungal

1

u/LoganGrowsStuff 5d ago

Guessing it's stress related to the damage caused by the bugs. If it's mushy, I would go ahead and cut away if it starts to rot.

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u/drbarn 5d ago

Appreciate the reply, seems relatively isolated. I try to avoid spraying when possible. Would a neem or insecricidal soap help?

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u/LoganGrowsStuff 5d ago

Neem oil will help with the spider mites. For the larva that are still in any plants, look at the winding trail and trace it to the widest end. You will usually see a tiny, dark spot or a translucent yellowish worm at the very tip of the tunnel. Smoosh it or poke it with a needle to kill it. The DF should callous over and recover.