Jacaranda trees are relatively pest-free.
Jacaranda is a favorite tree in warm climates. Its lavender-blue flowers make a showy display in the late spring and summer. Fairly easy to grow, jacaranda has few disease and insect problems. It does, however, sometimes have problems with aphids. Fortunately, the damage from aphids is limited, and the appropriate treatments are usually simple to apply. Does this Spark an idea?
Jacaranda
Jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia) can grow as high as 50 feet tall, but it is usually seen as a smaller, multitrunked tree. It usually has a broad canopy. It can be maintained as a loose, round shrub as small as 5 feet tall. Its tubular blue flowers are borne in clusters in the summer. It's secondary, or species, name comes from the resemblance of its soft, ferny leaves to that of mimosa. Jacaranda grows best where there is little danger of frost, although mature trees are more tolerant of cold temperatures than young trees.
Aphids
Aphids are transparent green or white soft-bodied insects that suck the sap from the soft tissues of new branch, leaf and flower stems. They are approximately 1/8 inch long. On a plant as large as jacaranda, aphids do little substantial damage. They do, however, leave sticky droppings --- honeydew --- that can turn black with mildew. Aphid honeydew can coat plants, structures, vehicles and paving.
Control
On small and medium-sized trees, aphids can be controlled with a strong spray from a hose, which knocks them to the ground. Insecticidal soaps are effective as well, and many formulas are nontoxic to humans and pets. Ladybugs are a natural control and can be purchased from garden centers or online retailers. Spray the leaves with water and release the ladybugs in the evening. The thirsty beetles will stick around to drink the water from your jacaranda's leaves and will soon make a feast of the aphids.
Tips
Aphids do little real damage to a mature jacaranda, so don't take risks with toxic chemical pesticides. If you know that aphids affect jacarandas in your neighborhood, plant the tree away from structures, sidewalks and parking areas. A good warm-weather substitute for jacaranda is vitex, another multitrunked, broadly spreading small tree. Also called chaste tree, it grows to 25 feet tall and has long, spiky panicles of blue flowers in the summer.
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