The naranjilla
plant (Solanum quitoense) is an
intriguing little fruit tree and might be an excellent choice for a small
garden orchard. A member of the nightshade family Solanaceae, the naranjilla is
named after the small, orange-like fruit it bears. This is a tough little tree,
but it occasionally gets attacked by naranjilla pests, notably the root
knot nematode. For information about naranjilla pest problems, including a
list of bugs that eat naranjilla, read on.
Pests of Naranjilla
The naranjilla plant is a spreading, herbaceous shrub that
grows to 8 feet (2.5 m.) high. It is native to South America and is cultivated
throughout Latin America for its small orange fruit with a thick, leathery
peel.
The naranjilla fruit are smaller than oranges, usually only 2 ½ inches (6.25 cm.) across, but they are filled with yellow-green, juicy pulp. It is delicious, tasting like a pleasant mixture of pineapple and citrus.
This could be a good fruit tree choice for backyard orchards
or even small farms. But you’ll want to understand its vulnerability to
naranjilla pests before planting.
Bugs that Eat Naranjilla
Like almost every other plant, naranjilla can be attacked by pests. The bugs that eat naranjilla fruit and foliage can usually be controlled easily in your home orchard. Naranjilla pests include aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, but these can be treated with neem oil sprays or other non-toxic products.
The most problematic pests of naranjilla are those that
attack the plant’s roots. Its vulnerability to root knot nematodes is a serious problem and
research is underway to find effective solutions to this.
Combatting Naranjilla Pest Problems
Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne
spp.) are the chief enemies of the naranjilla plant, and they can create
serious naranjilla pest problems. The nematodes are soil-dwelling pests that
attack the roots of the plant.
Growers and scientists are working to find solutions to this
naranjilla pest problem. One solution is applying
nematicide on the soil each time nematodes are spotted, but this is an
expensive alternative for small farmers.
Biologists are working to hybridize
the plant with nematode-resistant wild relatives to combat these destructive
pests of naranjilla. In some areas, growers are grafting the trees to
nematode-resistant rootstocks. Cultural measures to reduce nematode populations
can include mulching and frequent plowing during the hot, dry spells in which
nematode action increases.
The naranjilla
plant (Solanum quitoense) is an
intriguing little fruit tree and might be an excellent choice for a small
garden orchard. A member of the nightshade family Solanaceae, the naranjilla is
named after the small, orange-like fruit it bears. This is a tough little tree,
but it occasionally gets attacked by naranjilla pests, notably the root
knot nematode. For information about naranjilla pest problems, including a
list of bugs that eat naranjilla, read on.
Pests of Naranjilla
The naranjilla plant is a spreading, herbaceous shrub that
grows to 8 feet (2.5 m.) high. It is native to South America and is cultivated
throughout Latin America for its small orange fruit with a thick, leathery
peel.
The naranjilla fruit are smaller than oranges, usually only 2 ½ inches (6.25 cm.) across, but they are filled with yellow-green, juicy pulp. It is delicious, tasting like a pleasant mixture of pineapple and citrus.
This could be a good fruit tree choice for backyard orchards
or even small farms. But you’ll want to understand its vulnerability to
naranjilla pests before planting.
Bugs that Eat Naranjilla
Like almost every other plant, naranjilla can be attacked by pests. The bugs that eat naranjilla fruit and foliage can usually be controlled easily in your home orchard. Naranjilla pests include aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, but these can be treated with neem oil sprays or other non-toxic products.
The most problematic pests of naranjilla are those that
attack the plant’s roots. Its vulnerability to root knot nematodes is a serious problem and
research is underway to find effective solutions to this.
Combatting Naranjilla Pest Problems
Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne
spp.) are the chief enemies of the naranjilla plant, and they can create
serious naranjilla pest problems. The nematodes are soil-dwelling pests that
attack the roots of the plant.
Growers and scientists are working to find solutions to this
naranjilla pest problem. One solution is applying
nematicide on the soil each time nematodes are spotted, but this is an
expensive alternative for small farmers.
Biologists are working to hybridize
the plant with nematode-resistant wild relatives to combat these destructive
pests of naranjilla. In some areas, growers are grafting the trees to
nematode-resistant rootstocks. Cultural measures to reduce nematode populations
can include mulching and frequent plowing during the hot, dry spells in which
nematode action increases.