Question
QUESTION: Hi- I have a year old meyer lemon tree in a pot. Last spring I got it with one gree lemon which never turned yellow. It flowered and flowered but never produced another fruit. I brought it inside for the winter near my orchid light ( I face south) and I have a decent amount of light in the winter. Serveral months ago it developed a sticky substance all over it- the leave the pot the floor even everywhere near the plant. I have never seen anything like it. I tried to wash the leaves with soap and water. It just spread the stickiness. I have two hibiscus and orchids nearby and I am worried about them. But it is still cold here in Philadelphia and I cannot move the other plants further away. I believe one of the hibiscus has come sticky leaves. What it causing this extreme amount of sticky substance to form and how do I get rid of it. Thank you very much.

ANSWER: Hi Jane,  I would use Pure Neem Oil spray from Dyan Gro, it rids allot of different types of critters from our plants.  It is also a fungicide and miticide.  Best of all it does not wash off, is organic, and does not kill our beneficials.  What it does is alters the taste so the bugs go else where.  It is the only thing I use at my nursery to combat pests.   If it is in bloom spray your flowers also and it will help promote fruiting.  The blooms could get a fungus and you can not see it.  

It is scale and you can also spray your other plants and  they will be protected too.  kathy

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QUESTION: Thank you for your response. Is neem oil safe to use on hibiscus. If needed is
there a stronger oil that would work. The fruiting problem I had last year
when there was no sign of disease. the blossoms would fall and a little green
ball would form. I would be very excited , but each would turn yellow and fall
off or just fall off. I have not fertilized the plant yet this season and it was
new and had fertilizer in the pot when I bought it What could be causing the
fruitless problem . thank you again

Answer
Hi Jayne,  You can use the Neem on all your plants except african violets.  The blooms could be falling off naturally as it is still young or you are not keeping it wet enough, going up and down in your watering habits.  If it gets  too dry they will fall off.  Also, spraying your blooms will help incase you have a fungus in them.  kathy