Recently we received and email asking about the ISD tags placed on citrus tree containers. Here is a brief explanation of why the tag is there:

Propagating citrus nursery are required by the State of Florida's Ag Department to treat every tree that leaves their screen-house facility with the systemic insecticide, at that time an ISD tag is placed on the plant with the date of application, as well an expiration date, which is 6 months later than the date of application. The primary reason for the use is to prevent Psyllids from spreading HLB (citrus Greening), not every Pysllid is a carrier of HLB, but the effort is to protect the plant from HLB.

The treatment also prevents other insects that might feed on the tree from doing so as well, like Aphids, white flies, citrus leaf minors and any other piercing or sucking insects. What this means to a homeowner is that it gives added protection against pests. Another way of looking at it is that it helps reduce the amount of open wounds on a leaf's surface, which reduces the point of entry for citrus canker. Learn more about citrus canker by visiting our citrus canker page.

Kathy and Bob Powers of Boca Raton were heartbroken when their two healthy mature citrus trees, one a Ruby Red grapefruit tree, were cut down in 2003 during the canker fight. The government program required the destruction of trees within 1,900 feet of an infected tree.

The couple replanted citrus around 2006, but three years later, the trees were removed after contracting greening disease. They're considering planting once again.

"I hope everybody plants tons of them," Kathy Powers said. "It is a right of being a Floridian. Those trees were my babies."

Today’s post is about keeping your eyes open for pests that can hurt young citrus trees. Just recently I was noticing that there where a lot of leaves being eaten by something... While I was not sure of what it was I noticed more of a rough edged cut on the leaf. I watched diligently for a while and finally noticed a large grasshopper on a leaf. While beautiful in its own way I had to shoo the pest away and keep watch to assure it did not return. In the picture you can see the damage that it (and maybe some of its friends) has done. Keep your eyes peeled for any pest on young trees and try to help your citrus tree along by eradicating the pests that you see.

In the past there was mention about a pesky pest that comes in the form of a butterfly. The Orange Dog butterfly is a beautiful winged friend—but this friend can be a detriment to newly planted young citrus trees. As mention for new citrus trees, it is recommended that you knock the eggs off and get rid of the caterpillars that look like bird droppings.

All-in-all it is recommended to remove any bugs and deemed pests on young trees to allow them to grow to their full potential year round. In addition to pest control feel free to give your trees an added nutritional boost by applying KeyPlex Citrus HG nutritional plant food and micronutrient supplement as a foliar spray.

Keep watch for sprigs to show down near the base of the tree trunk (next to the graft area). You will be able to identify the graft area because of the bulge where the variety is grafted to the root stock.

While these shoots are natural we want to get rid of the so that we keep the tree variety that we purchased. With young shoots simply snap it off with your fingers. If you have older ones use a pair of hand clippers and trim it off right close to the trunk.

About a week ago I was able to plant my citrus trees to kick off this Blog. I wanted to wait a week or so for my first post so that there was something to Blog about. If you are just coming to this Blog... We are creating it so that a story can be told about the growth of a citrus tree. While my intention is to Blog about the growth and happenings for my trees I want to set the stage and present information correctly.

Number 1: The environment I am growing these trees is South Florida. Actually right off Lake Okeechobee’s east side. I am fortunate to live on a family farm where I am able to do this test and report effectively.

In our first Blog post to the Citrus Tree Blog I have to give accolades to Selina Rodriguez for suggesting that we create a “What to expect” section for new citrus owners.  Here is what she suggested...

I think if you put a "what to expect" section it would help me. like things to look for when they are starting to go wrong and things to see when they are going right.. i hope im taking good care of my tree!
—Selina Rodriguez