Can anyone inform me what the black sticky substance might be that keeps
appearing on my bay trees. They are outside in Summer and in an unheated
conservatory in the Winter. It drops down onto the floor tiles around the
pots.
Have tried washing with mild soapy water but, alas, it keeps returning.
Camilla

In article ,
"Camilla Peake" writes:
| Can anyone inform me what the black sticky substance might be that keeps
| appearing on my bay trees. They are outside in Summer and in an unheated
| conservatory in the Winter. It drops down onto the floor tiles around the
| pots.
| Have tried washing with mild soapy water but, alas, it keeps returning.

It is a mould that grows on honeydew caused by sap-sucking insects.
Ignore the mould and get rid of the insects - washing it off is
all you need do, and that is merely cosmetic.

It is quite likely soft scale, which will appear as small, brownish
limpet-like scales usually underneath the leaves near the ribs and
on the shoots and twigs. The best way to get rid of it is to scrape
it lightly with a blunt knife - very tedious, but it works.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren,
University of Cambridge Computing Service,
New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England.
Email:
Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679

In article , Camilla
Peake writes
Can anyone inform me what the black sticky substance might be that keeps
appearing on my bay trees. They are outside in Summer and in an unheated
conservatory in the Winter. It drops down onto the floor tiles around the
pots.
Have tried washing with mild soapy water but, alas, it keeps returning.

It's mould growing on the excretions from sap sucking pests.

Possible candidates are aphids, though the soapy water should have seen
to them, or scale insect. You would spot the scale insects as small oval
brown scales on the undersides of the leaves along the veins. Difficult
to get rid of because of their tough coats - I remove them by hand but
on a bay tree of any size that is impractical. Otherwise use a systemic
insecticide.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/garden/

Kay Easton wrote:

In article , Camilla
Peake writes
Can anyone inform me what the black sticky substance might be that keeps
appearing on my bay trees. They are outside in Summer and in an unheated
conservatory in the Winter. It drops down onto the floor tiles around the
pots.
Have tried washing with mild soapy water but, alas, it keeps returning.

It's mould growing on the excretions from sap sucking pests.

Possible candidates are aphids, though the soapy water should have seen
to them, or scale insect. You would spot the scale insects as small oval
brown scales on the undersides of the leaves along the veins. Difficult
to get rid of because of their tough coats - I remove them by hand but
on a bay tree of any size that is impractical.

And be careful using smothering agents like Safers soap or detergent spray on
Bay trees. I managed to defoliate mine entirely this way when treating a bad
infestation of scale. The leaves lost their waxy coat and desiccated so badly
it died back to its roots. Amazingly it regrew and the scale insects did not
recurr.

Otherwise use a systemic insecticide.

But not if you intend to use leaves from it for culinary purposes.

Regards,
Martin Brown

I leave my standard bay trees outside all year round. All I do is move them
close to the garage wall where they are sheltered from the wind. They do not
seem to be affected by frost (and this year has been the worst).
Is it possible that by bringing them indoors that you are encouraging
insects that would not live through the winter if they were left outside.

AndyP
SE London

--
"Wisest are they that know they do not know." Socrates
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above
hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" JRR Toliken, The Hobbit
"Camilla Peake" wrote in message
...
Can anyone inform me what the black sticky substance might be that keeps
appearing on my bay trees. They are outside in Summer and in an unheated
conservatory in the Winter. It drops down onto the floor tiles around the
pots.
Have tried washing with mild soapy water but, alas, it keeps returning.
Camilla