My Dwarf Lime Tree Has White Stuff on the Base & Little Bugs
Like some other citrus trees, lime trees come in a variety of sizes. Miniature lime trees are suitable for growing in small areas within a landscape or as indoor potted plants. Whether you grow your dwarf lime indoors or outside, poor drainage conditions can increase the risk of fungal disease and other pest problems. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Soil Conditions
-
Dwarf lime trees grow best in loamy soils with good surface and internal drainage. Clay soils tend to provide poor drainage and may cause moisture retention around the roots and the base of the trunk. Dwarf limes cannot tolerate flooding conditions or continual exposure to wetness.
Fungal Disease
-
Fungi usually appear as whitish patches of residue over the bark near the base of the dwarf lime tree and on top of the surface of the soil. Left untreated, the fungus can spread and form a thick, soft mat. This substance provides a food source for a type of insect.
-
Fungus Gnat
-
Fungus gnats are members of the Sciaridae family of insects. The adult gnats are about 1/8 inch long and have dark bodies with clear wings. They young larvae grow about 1/4 inch long and are creamy-white or clear. While these insects prefer fungus to feed on, they also eat decaying organic matter and plant roots. They most commonly infest damp, moist soil. Inside the house, the adult gnats fly from plant to plant, often infesting numerous houseplants at once.
Treatment
-
Both the fungus and the insects may pose a hazard to the health of dwarf lime trees. Fungus can lead to root rot and stem rot in dwarf lime trees, while continual feeding by fungus gnats may cause the small trees to develop stunted foliage. Without treatment, the feeding larvae can damage the roots and kill the trees. Pesticides and fungicides are often necessary to remove the insects and the fungus. Soil drenches can help eliminate larvae living beneath the soil. Correcting drainage problems will help restrict the growth of fungus, removing this food source and preventing new fungus gnat infestations.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
