Help please ... Bald cypress mites or ???

[bendem]

Hi -

I hope someone with bald cypress expertise can please help me out. I have several pre-bonsai BC trees, and some of them have leaf damage as shown in these pictures.

Thinking that mites were the likely cause, I've already sprayed Avid three times about a week apart. Since then, I've seen less white webby stuff on the leaves. But the issue has not completely resolved itself. Today I picked up a 10X magnifying glass in hopes I may see something more definitive. I did find a couple super tiny white dots on the leaves but was not able to make out anything else.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to the problem and what to do next?

Thanks!

 

[Carol 83]

@Cajunrider to the rescue!

 

[Cajunrider]

Hi -

I hope someone with bald cypress expertise can please help me out. I have several pre-bonsai BC trees, and some of them have leaf damage as shown in these pictures.

Thinking that mites were the likely cause, I've already sprayed Avid three times about a week apart. Since then, I've seen less white webby stuff on the leaves. But the issue has not completely resolved itself. Today I picked up a 10X magnifying glass in hopes I may see something more definitive. I did find a couple super tiny white dots on the leaves but was not able to make out anything else.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to the problem and what to do next?

Thanks!

You probably had some mites and have taken care of it. However, the leaves also show response to quick change in sunlight level. The trees likely were moved from part shade to full sun. Contrary to what most people think, BCs don't like standing alone out in full sun all the time. In the swamp, the tops get full sun but the sides get 5/6 hrs sun max because they shade one another out. If we take the BC bonsai out in full sun where they are exposed on all sides and get full sun more than 12 hours a day, they partially bronze out. Your damaged leaves won't come back to green.

If I were you, I would place the BCs on the east side of a house or a big tree where they get morning sun to 1-2 pm and shade away from sun in the afternoon. I bet they will green up nicely if proper water and nutrients.

 

[bendem]

You probably had some mites and have taken care of it. However, the leaves also show response to quick change in sunlight level. The trees likely were moved from part shade to full sun. Contrary to what most people think, BCs don't like standing alone out in full sun all the time. In the swamp, the tops get full sun but the sides get 5/6 hrs sun max because they shade one another out. If we take the BC bonsai out in full sun where they are exposed on all sides and get full sun more than 12 hours a day, they partially bronze out. Your damaged leaves won't come back to green.

If I were you, I would place the BCs on the east side of a house or a big tree where they get morning sun to 1-2 pm and shade away from sun in the afternoon. I bet they will green up nicely if proper water and nutrients.

Thanks so much for your response. Appreciate it! If you're up for it, I've got a noobie follow-up question. I've generally kept my BC trees in the same locations in my yard, but I'm sure I've unintentionally rotated their positions toward the sun occasionally as I've moved them around for pruning, spraying, etc. Do you think that introduces stress on the trees if I have leaves that are suddenly getting more sun than they're used to?

 

[Cajunrider]

Thanks so much for your response. Appreciate it! If you're up for it, I've got a noobie follow-up question. I've generally kept my BC trees in the same locations in my yard, but I'm sure I've unintentionally rotated their positions toward the sun occasionally as I've moved them around for pruning, spraying, etc. Do you think that introduces stress on the trees if I have leaves that are suddenly getting more sun than they're used to?

I rotate my trees without any thought all the time. I don’t that as an issue.

 

[rockm]

Thanks so much for your response. Appreciate it! If you're up for it, I've got a noobie follow-up question. I've generally kept my BC trees in the same locations in my yard, but I'm sure I've unintentionally rotated their positions toward the sun occasionally as I've moved them around for pruning, spraying, etc. Do you think that introduces stress on the trees if I have leaves that are suddenly getting more sun than they're used to?

Nope. It's the opposite. Rotating trees is a must if you have areas of the yard that get some sun, but not evenly, BUT you have to do it regularly (not every day or even every week, but enough so one side doesn't become more dominant than the other). I rotate all my trees about every two weeks. A simple turntable works for heavier trees--although heavy is relative.

 

[Cajunrider]

Nope. It's the opposite. Rotating trees is a must if you have areas of the yard that get some sun, but not evenly, BUT you have to do it regularly (not every day or even every week, but enough so one side doesn't become more dominant than the other). I rotate all my trees about every two weeks. A simple turntable works for heavier trees--although heavy is relative.

Well my belly resembles that remark.

 

[Cajunrider]

Well my belly resembles that remark.

Apparently now Bonsainut thinks I should lose 45 lbs.

 

[Carol 83]

Apparently now Bonsainut thinks I should lose 45 lbs.
View attachment 551499

I never pictured you as a blonde.....