We have approximately 40 conifers which, for the last 15 years, have been cut regularly and been healthy. Now we have 'chunks' of them going a horrible brown colour and obviously dying – it has an appearance of a spider's-web-type fungus. Can we treat this before it spreads to the rest of our conifers, or if we replace them, will whatever is killing them still be in the soil?
Patricia Howe 21.08.07
Val: There have been bad attacks from conifer red spider mite going around this year, but you can treat the problem with Provado Ultimate Bug Killer or Organic 2-in-1. Follow the instructions on the pack and you should be able to bring this under control.
As to whether this will stop the spread of the red spider mite, much will depend on how extensive the damage is. The Provado will work quite quickly and will give protection for around four months, so it will not only kill off the current population, but the next
generation too. This gives your conifers the best chance of recovery. Conifers are due a growth spurt (as they grow in autumn and spring), so it's worth giving them a feed soon and, this time, try a seaweed-based feed, as it acts like a tonic when a plant has been under attack. Next spring, you can go back to using a general fertiliser like Vitax Q4.
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