To give up on citrus plants

[gardeningnovice5]

I’ve had several citrus plants over the years and have always managed to grow them quite successfully indoors. However, every single one has eventually fallen victim to scale, making the plants go ultra sticky and attracting ants. I’ve tried treating the plants with washing up liquid and also neem oil, but the smell of neem is quite unpleasant. Plus neither treatment seems to properly kill off the scale once it has set in. It’s such a shame as I love citrus plants. Is there anything else I can do to stop the scale or should I just admit defeat?

I have a lemon plant I grew from seed, its more complicated than all my other house plants combined. At the moment it's a waist height twig with 7 leaves on it. Thinking of joining you.

I've managed a lime tree for a few years but I've lost patience and chucked it outside a few weeks ago - it's survival of the fittest now - if it lives I'll give it another chance.

I killed mine by forgetting to water it for a couple of months. All the leaves fell off and all the branches died.

Now the main trunk is shooting everywhere. Still got bloody scale though. Though not much as I take it off when I see it.

Feel absolutely no enthusiasm for the plant even though I grew it from a pip

I’ve got a pip-grown plant which I periodically descale with a damp e-cloth... yeah, not sure why.

Years ago I grew a fair sized plant which turned into a standard after lower leaves died - it looked good and once had a single gloriously scented flower. But the scale was unmanageable, I put it outside - it survived a couple of years (scale and all) but then I didn't think to fleece it when there was a very cold snap, that killed it.

Glad it’s not just me! Honestly the scale just seems impossible to eradicate.

I posted a thread only two days ago about the sad appearance of my indoor lemon tree...

They seem like a lot of work for very little results.

It sounds frustrating to deal with scale infestations on your citrus plants. While washing up liquid and Neem oil are common treatments, there are a few other strategies you could try before giving up:

1. Natural Predators: Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings that feed on scale insects. They can help keep the population in check.
2. Pruning: Remove heavily infested branches and leaves to reduce the scale population and prevent further spread.
3. Horticultural Oil: Use a horticultural oil spray, which suffocates scale insects by coating them, disrupting their ability to breathe.
4. Systemic Insecticides: Consider using systemic insecticides specifically labeled for scale control. These are absorbed by the plant and can be effective against stubborn infestations.
5. Monitor and Repeat Treatments: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of scale and continue treatments as needed. It may take several rounds of treatment to fully eradicate the infestation.

Before giving up on your citrus plants, try these alternative methods to see if you can regain control over the scale problem. Source: qooplants