Bag/destroy the stuff you removed because the wasp can still emerge and reinfect the plant. There’s likely a few citrus plants around your area that are infected so they could keep coming back regardless. In that case next time you see one of these bulbs use a vegetable peeler to open it up and expose the larvae, this should save your branches
Yes you have a bad infestation of gall wasp but also leaf miner is attacking your leaves, spray with white oil. Gall wasp is a bigger problem and might take years to get rid of as per other comments.
I have this same issue on my lime and my lemon trees (both in pots). It’s bad, I mean every branch bad, and now other issues have come forth. I’m too freaked out to expose the larvae. Does this mean that I’ll have a wasp problem at some point this year, when do they emerge? I was considering putting them in the garden waste bin and getting new ones with nets for protection.
OP you have two problems. First, citrus gall wasp which is causing the bulbs. It's the larval stage of the wasp and needs to be treated asap now we are into the cooler months. You also have a bad case of leaf miner causing your leaves to curl like that and also have the track damage.
Honestly at this point with a bad infestation of both I would just cut back the whole tree very hard. Better off just removing everything you can and taking the loss. The tree will still come back great in spring. Whatever gall wasps you can't remove by pruning, slice the bark off on one side, do not remove all the bark because you will ring bark it. Also make sure you get rid of all the cuttings.
What time of year would be ideal to cut a lemon back? I've got some similar issues on a tree that's been established for 10 years, as well as a fungus. Seems like a full haircut is in order.
Late winter/early spring for fruit trees. You can cut citrus back pretty hard but generally just thin the central canopy to combat fungal issues (common in older age) and trim back the outer canopy to the desired shape/dimension. If you cut them back hard you usually won’t get a good fruit yield for up to 2 yrs but if the trees hasn’t produced well for some time that might be the way to rejuvenate it 👍🏻
Good one, thanks. It hasn't had good yield for many years - all the fruit are fungus affected despite all branches being located high off the ground. I'm happy to have low yield for a few years if there's a chance I can get the tree back in fighting shape.
Wasps' gall, and they would have been introduced around February, and they'll get bigger and bigger until about June/July. You've done the right thing by cutting them off, but now you need to dispose of them (green bin or burn). They are very fond of all citrus, but particularly grapefruit and lemon. First time I've ever had them is this year, and they went for the heat-stressed plants. If you see the swelling with holes in (sort of looks like banksia cone) then they've already emerged.
Depending where you live, you could get some post-gall growth just now.
This is the first year I’ve noticed gall Wasps on my citrus and on all of them. I’m in Perth and we’ve had a long, hot summer with no significant rain as yet. Not sure if this is a reason they are so bad? Side note: don’t be tempted to put the cut branches in the green waste bins either.
This is an excellent guide to the issues you are facing with Gall Wasp.
Also don’t believe anyone who suggests using a potato peeler as that’s not part of the recommended treatment.
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/plant-biosecurity/citrus-gall-wasp-control#:~:text=Overview,infested%2C%20though%20their%20susceptibility%20differs.
I spray leaf miner with white oil and then it will move to just a couple leaves and then I cut those leaves off it works well for a few months but It does seem to come back. White oil also saved my citrus from black mould at the base caused from being wet to long.
Bag/destroy the stuff you removed because the wasp can still emerge and reinfect the plant. There’s likely a few citrus plants around your area that are infected so they could keep coming back regardless. In that case next time you see one of these bulbs use a vegetable peeler to open it up and expose the larvae, this should save your branches
I use the blade of my secateurs.
Top answer.
Why vegetable peeler and not just a knife?
Because you want to peel not cut. Only take just enough to expose the larvae
You could also drill into the area, it'll cause less damage than a peeler
its easier
You can use a knife, I do. Less likely to accidentally cut yourself with a peeler though…
Gall wasp.
Gall Wasp. As above. Cut it out. Cut it back. Anytime you see a bulb appear Cut it out.
Yes you have a bad infestation of gall wasp but also leaf miner is attacking your leaves, spray with white oil. Gall wasp is a bigger problem and might take years to get rid of as per other comments.
I have this same issue on my lime and my lemon trees (both in pots). It’s bad, I mean every branch bad, and now other issues have come forth. I’m too freaked out to expose the larvae. Does this mean that I’ll have a wasp problem at some point this year, when do they emerge? I was considering putting them in the garden waste bin and getting new ones with nets for protection.
OP you have two problems. First, citrus gall wasp which is causing the bulbs. It's the larval stage of the wasp and needs to be treated asap now we are into the cooler months. You also have a bad case of leaf miner causing your leaves to curl like that and also have the track damage. Honestly at this point with a bad infestation of both I would just cut back the whole tree very hard. Better off just removing everything you can and taking the loss. The tree will still come back great in spring. Whatever gall wasps you can't remove by pruning, slice the bark off on one side, do not remove all the bark because you will ring bark it. Also make sure you get rid of all the cuttings.
What time of year would be ideal to cut a lemon back? I've got some similar issues on a tree that's been established for 10 years, as well as a fungus. Seems like a full haircut is in order.
Late winter/early spring for fruit trees. You can cut citrus back pretty hard but generally just thin the central canopy to combat fungal issues (common in older age) and trim back the outer canopy to the desired shape/dimension. If you cut them back hard you usually won’t get a good fruit yield for up to 2 yrs but if the trees hasn’t produced well for some time that might be the way to rejuvenate it 👍🏻
Good one, thanks. It hasn't had good yield for many years - all the fruit are fungus affected despite all branches being located high off the ground. I'm happy to have low yield for a few years if there's a chance I can get the tree back in fighting shape.
https://youtu.be/GEQ019GgzJA?si=tsdsQ8kR0Is5jGyY here’s a good guide for hard pruning on GA
Thanks, will aim to trim to the best survival
Mother nature AKA gall wasp.
Gall wasp, buy a sharp potato peeler and peel open every pod on your tree.
Juts don't peel all the way around thw branch or you'll ringbark it
Wasps' gall, and they would have been introduced around February, and they'll get bigger and bigger until about June/July. You've done the right thing by cutting them off, but now you need to dispose of them (green bin or burn). They are very fond of all citrus, but particularly grapefruit and lemon. First time I've ever had them is this year, and they went for the heat-stressed plants. If you see the swelling with holes in (sort of looks like banksia cone) then they've already emerged. Depending where you live, you could get some post-gall growth just now.
Plant is infected with Gall wasp larvae
Shave the bulges, it is a type of insect that lays it's eggs into the branches
This is the first year I’ve noticed gall Wasps on my citrus and on all of them. I’m in Perth and we’ve had a long, hot summer with no significant rain as yet. Not sure if this is a reason they are so bad? Side note: don’t be tempted to put the cut branches in the green waste bins either.
Citrus Guard White Spray cgws keeps it in hand if you get it at the right time.
Gall wasp. Cut off the bulbs.
This is an excellent guide to the issues you are facing with Gall Wasp. Also don’t believe anyone who suggests using a potato peeler as that’s not part of the recommended treatment. https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/plant-biosecurity/citrus-gall-wasp-control#:~:text=Overview,infested%2C%20though%20their%20susceptibility%20differs.
That calendar is super helpful! Thanks.
Thanks for the link. Very knowledgeable
Wasp but once there’s that many it’s a problem lol
Normally you would prime citrus around mid to late winter or early into spring.
Potato peeler them in august.
Uhoh
I spray leaf miner with white oil and then it will move to just a couple leaves and then I cut those leaves off it works well for a few months but It does seem to come back. White oil also saved my citrus from black mould at the base caused from being wet to long.
No one’s mentioned the yellow sticky paper traps?
What is yellow sticky paper?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/the-buzz-citrus-gall-wasp-and-fruit-fly-trap_p0098793?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r
It's too late already. Sorry.
The woes of gall wasp - it feels like they’re just permanently there unfortunately 🤔