Camellias are a stunning addition to any garden, especially during the cooler months when they bloom while other plants wither away.
However, these beautiful shrubs are not immune to pests, and one of the most common culprits is tea scale. These tiny insects can cause significant damage to camellias, sasanqua, and Burford holly leaves by feeding on the plant’s juices. If left untreated, tea scale can even kill the plant.
Fortunately, there are ways to control this pest, and one effective method is using neem oil. But when is the best time to apply it?
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about using neem oil to protect your camellias from tea scale infestations.
When To Apply Neem Oil To Camellias?
The best time to apply neem oil to camellias is during the spring when the tea scale crawlers emerge. In our area, this typically occurs in February or mid-January, depending on the temperatures.
It’s important to note that neem oil should only be applied when the temperature is between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Applying it during hotter temperatures can result in burning the leaves.
To apply neem oil, spray the entire plant, including the underside of the leaves, with a neem oil or horticultural oil mixture. Thoroughly saturate the insects with the mixture, making sure to cover both surfaces of the leaves.
Repeat applications may be necessary, especially if there are several generations of tea scale crawlers each year. It’s important to monitor your plants weekly to catch any new outbreaks and treat them as needed.
Understanding Tea Scale And Its Effects On Camellias
Tea scale is a serious insect pest that affects camellias, hollies, citrus, and the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). This insect feeds on and infests the underside of camellia, sasanqua, and Burford holly leaves. When the scale numbers are high, the top portion of the leaves become mottled with patches of yellow and green. The scale insects are concealed underneath a cottony white material beneath the foliage. The actual insects are small and brownish grey. They feed by sucking the plant sap and can cause a lot of unsightly damage if left untreated.
Tea scale gets its name from the tea that we drink, which is made from Camellia sinensis. Female scale insects are able to reproduce every one to two weeks, increasing the population exponentially. Newly hatched scale insects are called crawlers and are able to move about the plant to colonize new sections. Crawlers can move to new plants using the wind by flying a silk kite.
Insecticides are much more effective when used to treat the crawlers, which typically emerge in the spring. Camellias and other tea scale-infested plants should be treated with an oil spray when the temperatures are mild (not cold or hot). Spray the entire plant, top to bottom, especially the underside of the leaves, with dormant oil, neem oil or horticultural oil. These are all very low in toxicity and do not leave behind any residue that harms beneficial insects.
Contact insecticides can work, but they are much less effective than oil treatments or systemic insecticides. However, including a contact insecticide with your oil spray does make it more effective. Systemic insecticide products also work well at this stage and control crawlers as well as adult scale insects.
Dead scale insects turn a darker shade of brown or black and slowly flake off the underside of the leaf. Live scale insects are fairly moist, while dead ones are dry to the touch. There are several generations of tea scale crawlers each year, so monitor your plants monthly to catch any new outbreaks.
Catching the issue early is the best way to avoid heavy infestations. Heavily infested shrubs should be monitored and treated as needed and may require several years of control. Pruning out heavily infested branches or leaves can help. Increasing air circulation within the plant helps to open the insects up to natural predators such as lacewings, ladybugs, and spiders. If your camellias are small or weak, a light application of a camellia-gardenia-azalea food this time of year is a good idea as well.
What Is Neem Oil And How Does It Work Against Tea Scale?
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that is effective against soft-bodied pests such as tea scale. It works by suffocating the insects or disrupting how they feed. The pest must be present when the oil is sprayed on the plant to be effective. Unlike many pesticides that continue working after application, neem oil has no effect after it dries. It’s also biodegradable, breaking down quickly into harmless components.
Neem oil should be applied to camellias during the spring when the tea scale crawlers emerge. It should only be applied when the temperature is between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid burning the leaves. When applying neem oil, cover all parts of the plant, including the undersides of leaves where pests can hide and lay eggs.
Neem oil can reduce the spread of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and blackspot by preventing new spores from germinating. While it won’t completely get rid of these diseases, it can help your plants continue growing.
When To Apply Neem Oil To Camellias For Maximum Effectiveness
To ensure maximum effectiveness, it’s important to apply neem oil to camellias during the spring when the tea scale crawlers emerge. This is when the insects are most vulnerable and easily controlled.
It’s also important to apply neem oil when the temperature is between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Applying it during hotter temperatures can result in burning the leaves, while applying it during colder temperatures can reduce its effectiveness.
When applying neem oil, make sure to thoroughly saturate the insects with the mixture, covering both surfaces of the leaves. Repeat applications may be necessary, especially if there are several generations of tea scale crawlers each year.
In addition to using neem oil, it’s also important to monitor your plants weekly to catch any new outbreaks and treat them as needed. Pruning out heavily infested branches or leaves can also help control the infestation.
By following these guidelines and applying neem oil during the appropriate time frame, you can effectively control tea scale infestations on your camellias and keep them healthy and beautiful all year round.
How To Apply Neem Oil To Camellias Safely And Effectively
To apply neem oil safely and effectively to camellias, follow these steps:
1. Choose the right time: As mentioned earlier, the best time to apply neem oil to camellias is during the spring when the tea scale crawlers emerge. Make sure to check the temperature before applying, as it should be between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the neem oil: To make your own neem oil mixture, fill a spray bottle with warm water and add 0.5 teaspoon of cold-pressed neem oil and a few drops of liquid soap. Shake the bottle well to mix all the ingredients together.
3. Spray the plants: Once you have your mixture ready, spray the entire plant, including the underside of the leaves, with the neem oil mixture. It’s important to thoroughly saturate the insects with the mixture, making sure to cover both surfaces of the leaves.
4. Repeat applications: Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may need to repeat applications every two weeks or once a week if you’re trying to control an active pest infestation. Monitor your plants weekly to catch any new outbreaks and treat them as needed.
5. Be cautious: While neem oil is generally safe for plants, it’s important to be cautious when applying it. Do not apply it during hotter temperatures as it can result in burning the leaves. Also, make sure to shake your spray bottle before each use as neem oil doesn’t mix well with water and can float on top of it.
By following these steps, you can safely and effectively apply neem oil to camellias and control tea scale infestations.
Other Natural Methods For Controlling Tea Scale On Camellias
In addition to neem oil, there are other natural methods for controlling tea scale on camellias. One method is to increase air circulation within the plant. This can be done by pruning out heavily infested branches or leaves, which will open up the plant and allow natural predators such as lacewings, ladybugs, and spiders to feed on the tea scale.
Another natural method is to introduce beneficial insects into your garden. Ladybugs and lacewings are natural predators of tea scale and can help keep their populations under control. You can purchase these insects at your local garden center or online.
Using a reflective mulch around the base of your camellias can also help control tea scale. The reflective surface confuses the crawlers and prevents them from moving up the plant.
Finally, you can use a homemade insecticidal soap to control tea scale on camellias. Mix one tablespoon of mild liquid soap with one quart of water and spray it directly on the affected areas of the plant. Be sure to rinse the plant thoroughly with water after applying the soap.
Tips For Preventing Tea Scale Infestations On Camellias In The Future
Preventing tea scale infestations on camellias in the future can save you a lot of trouble and keep your plants healthy. Here are some tips to help prevent tea scale infestations:
1. Regularly inspect your camellias for signs of tea scale infestation, especially during the spring when the crawlers emerge. Look for yellow and tan splotches on the leaves, as well as white, miniscule insects on the underside of the leaves.
2. Increase air circulation within the plant by pruning out heavily infested branches or leaves. This will help to open up the insects to natural predators such as lacewings, ladybugs, and spiders.
3. Use a low-toxicity horticultural oil or neem seed oil spray to control tea scale infestations. These sprays are effective against both adult and crawler stages of tea scale, and they don’t leave any residue that harms beneficial insects.
4. Apply systemic insecticides such as imidacloprid when there is a heavy infestation that cannot be controlled by other methods. However, be sure to apply it only after the plant finishes blooming so as not to harm pollinators.
5. Fertilize your camellias with a camellia-gardenia-azalea food during early spring to promote plant health and vigor.
By following these tips, you can prevent tea scale infestations on your camellias and keep them healthy and beautiful for years to come.
