One First Matter All
Mame
Hi all,
I recently noticed some blighted tips on my Ponderosa. I plan to spray with a fungicide to prevent the spread. Is it wise, in addition to spraying, to remove the affected needles? If so, should I remove the entire needle at the base or only the infected parts? I can find nothing online about pruning needles in the event of fungus.
Also, I would like to spray with neem oil, as I prefer organics and, as I understand it, coppers can destroy the soil. It seems a lot of people caution against using neem on needles/leaves because of the potential for leaf burn. However, I've liberally sprayed neem oil on my trident maple leaves to no ill effect. The leaves glisten with oil in the summer sun, and yet no ill effects whatsoever on older leaves, younger leaves, or anything in between. I've read at least one place that the neem is not the issue causing the leaves to yellow--it's the soap added to the neem in order to emulsify it. I don't use soap. Is the idea that neem causes leaf burn more myth than fact? Can anyone else confirm? I want more than correlation (i.e., "I used neem and now my leaves are yellow"), since, as mentioned, it seems that other factors, like soap, might come into play (not to mention the fact that many plants receiving neem oil are already sick and, thus, more prone to adverse effects from any number of sources--neem representing but one).
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Chris
I recently noticed some blighted tips on my Ponderosa. I plan to spray with a fungicide to prevent the spread. Is it wise, in addition to spraying, to remove the affected needles? If so, should I remove the entire needle at the base or only the infected parts? I can find nothing online about pruning needles in the event of fungus.
Also, I would like to spray with neem oil, as I prefer organics and, as I understand it, coppers can destroy the soil. It seems a lot of people caution against using neem on needles/leaves because of the potential for leaf burn. However, I've liberally sprayed neem oil on my trident maple leaves to no ill effect. The leaves glisten with oil in the summer sun, and yet no ill effects whatsoever on older leaves, younger leaves, or anything in between. I've read at least one place that the neem is not the issue causing the leaves to yellow--it's the soap added to the neem in order to emulsify it. I don't use soap. Is the idea that neem causes leaf burn more myth than fact? Can anyone else confirm? I want more than correlation (i.e., "I used neem and now my leaves are yellow"), since, as mentioned, it seems that other factors, like soap, might come into play (not to mention the fact that many plants receiving neem oil are already sick and, thus, more prone to adverse effects from any number of sources--neem representing but one).
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Chris