[Anguswylie]

Hi,

Can anybody help with an issue with my plumb tree? Every year the first leaves out shrivel up. The later leaves are ok. I put a moth band around it last year, and there are no aphids. Photo hopefully attached.

Any idea welcome

Thanks

[Gardener and Rabbit]

Hi Angus,

It looks like the plum aphid that causes leaf curl has done that; they do the damage very early, and then move on to other plants in the garden. That's why you can't find any now, and why it's only the first leaves that get damaged each year.

G&R

[Anguswylie]

Thank you.

Neem oil seems to be a good option.  Half life in water quoted as 45mins. So application needs to be pretty swift. But does anyone know what concentration to use. I've not found that information.

[4th season allot]

Got a few like that on my plum tree annoying as I had been spraying it with a mix of neem oil and soap  earlier as the buds where just opening been to windy or too hot for awhile to spray was going to spray a few days ago but came across some copulating ladybirds so left them to it.
I mix about two table spoons of oil with tablespoon of grated ordinary soap in a 5 litre sprayer.
May have to change what I am doing if the neem oil loses it's potency when left in sprayer.
Have two apple trees and the plum and does not need 5 litres so have been leaving excess in sprayer and treating a second time about a week later. Maybe just add some mor neem oil to what is currently in.