Whatvis happening to my Elephants toothbrush

[Derek Vaughan]

Hi there,

I have had my Elephants toothbrush for 6 years (since the day my daughter was born).
Recently there has been discoloration to the leaves and some have dried and become paperlike.
Can this be a result of our recent heat wave.
The plant is of sentimental value.
I have attached some images.
Could someone please advise what is happening.

 

[Derek Vaughan]

Please see images..
.y wife has suggested spider mites???

 

[Tetters]

What on earth is ''elephants toothbrush'' Whatever it is it certainly seems to have spider mites. The best solution would be to get some nematodes for doing the job of eradicating the problem biologically. By the way, a warm welcome to the forum

 

[Derek Vaughan]

What on earth is ''elephants toothbrush'' Whatever it is it certainly seems to have spider mites. The best solution would be to get some nematodes for doing the job of eradicating the problem biologically. By the way, a warm welcome to the forum

 

[Derek Vaughan]

Thank you so much for the advice..and the warm welcome!
My Elephants toothbrush (Cussonia Spicata) is an indoor house plant...
Is it ok to use the Nematodes?
They're worms right?

Do I then have to kill the worms??

‍

 

[Tetters]

You water them into the plants - they are microscopic not great big things like earthworms. Easy to find, and best to ask your local garden supplier

 

[Tetters]

Crikey, that`s usually commonly known as a cabbage tree and will grow up to 10 metres tall. Is yours a bonsai job ?

 

[Derek Vaughan]

My wife keeps telling me it will grow into a tree and should be outside...

 

[Tetters]

You should always remember that your wife knows best ...... hope you don`t encounter too many pink elephants

 

[Derek Vaughan]

I went to my local garden centre.
They did not have nematodes.
She recomended that I use this...

 

[cpp gardener]

Hey Derek! What is the active ingredient in the spray and did it work?

 

[Derek Vaughan]

Hi there,
Not entirely sure what the active ingredient...
Though my plant has had a good reaction!
There has been a real growth spurt...
However there is still some discolouration so will probably apply nematodes.

 

[Tetters]

This link might be useful to you Derek https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/r...-spider-mite-control-amblysieus-andersoni-x10

 

[Marck]

The Spiked Cabbage-tree (Cussonia spicata), also occasionally known as an Elephant's toothbrush, is an evergreen tree in the Aralia Family (Araliaceae), with large, distinctively compound leaves. it is one of twenty species of Cabbage-tree (Cussonia), native to southern and tropical Africa, with one species, Cussonia holstii, extending its range into Yemen. Cussonia are often grown as garden plants in mild climates, and also make intriguing conservatory or house plants in colder areas. Most do best in full to part sun with well-draining soil.