Buds and leaves questions

[MrMuddle]

Are the marks on th eleaves on photo 1 a problem?

Do I need to do anything about the change in the leaf colours in photo 2

Will the buds in photo 3 grow together to form one large bud?

Plant has been grown from seed it's absquirrel tail, I'm told.

Thanks for any help / advice

[fuehrio]

Would check for mites or other bugs about the marks, although mites should cause smaller marks

[marcus111]

I would just cut off all affected leaves to be sure...

The local squirrel is very hardy to a prune.

[BritManToo]

On 11/23/2022 at 8:23 PM, marcus111 said:

I would just cut off all affected leaves to be sure...

The local squirrel is very hardy to a prune.

What he said, I just cut off the odd/diseased looking leaves.

[MrMuddle]

Found quite a few of these blighters, hiding under the leaves. All infected leaves removed, and burned on a fire in the garden. No idea why, but all the neighbours in the village seemed happier than normal that day!

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, MrMuddle said:

Found quite a few of these blighters, hiding under the leaves. All infected leaves removed, and burned on a fire in the garden. No idea why, but all the neighbours in the village seemed happier than normal that day!

Breadfruit Mealybug (Icerya aegyptiaca)

https://goodstreecare.com/its-time-to-tip-the-scales-on-scale-insects/

[oldscool]

Nasty looking bug (thanks for the id Britman).

 

The best preventive measure is neem oil, for bugs and fungus of all sorts. It’s abundantly available here, for example on Lazada and even pharmacies (though the pharmacy versions may be for human skin problems rather than plants!). You can dilute it yourself or buy it ready mixed.

 

The neem tree is one of those magic plants that grow wild here, just like marijuana ???? and there’s a fine specimen in grandma’s garden that’s even older than me.

 

The organic farmers in my area use it extensively, spraying it from large containers strapped to their backs.