Q.
My fejioas are being eaten by something that is not me! There are holes on the leaves and the shoots seem to be eaten, but no caterpillars to be found! I've included a photo of the damaged leaves. Any ideas? Thanks, Shirley.
A.
It looks like old damage from leaf roller caterpillars eating your leaves. These caterpillars can be hard to see as they hide on the under side of the leaves! If you see them, treat with an insect spray which states it controls these caterpillars, but be mindful of the withholding periods if you choose a chemical option, as your feijoa should be due to be fruiting over the next few months. The bugs should not affect the fruit, but they are hard on the tree.
Pheromone traps that can be hung in the tree to attract the males and interrupt the lifecycle are also available from garden centres.
Keep up with watering, feed regularly with Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser and apply Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic at least once a month for an overall boost.
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What is eating my feijoa tree leaves? Comments
We have limited garden space,but would like to grow a fejioa in a large pot. Could you suggest the best type to grow that is self fertilizing. Thanks
Jude Lamont
Hi Jude, check out Waimea Nurseries' Wiki Tu variety. It is a dwarf, so suitable for pots, and partially self fertile. Waimea do suggest it will do better with another variety nearby for cross pollination. Thanks, Gemma (Tui Team)
gemma