Pittosporum sucker

The psyllids or plant suckers are a group of sap

Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding. sucking true bugs (Hemiptera). There are more than 40 species found in Britain. Many species produce a white waxy secretion during the immature (nymph) stages and some cause distortion and galling to host plants. Most however, do not cause any significant damage to garden plants. More information on Psyllids from Britain can be found at British Bugs.

Pittosporum sucker

Suckers are growths that appear from the root systems of many trees and shrubs such as lilac, cherries, Robinia. On grafted plants such as roses, suckers can grow from below the graft union, on the rootstock material. Suckers are usually removed by gently pulling off when young. feeds on sap from foliage of pittosporums during the spring and summer, this can result in distorted discoloured leaves. The plant can tolerate this damage.

Pittosporum leaves develop pale bulges and distorted growth. Young leaves are particularly prone to damage.

Adult pittosporum sucker

Suckers are growths that appear from the root systems of many trees and shrubs such as lilac, cherries, Robinia. On grafted plants such as roses, suckers can grow from below the graft union, on the rootstock material. Suckers are usually removed by gently pulling off when young. are winged pale green insects, about 4 mm in length, older individuals are a darker green. The nymphs are flattened and pale, almost white, and less mobile than the adults.

Pittosporum sucker

Suckers are growths that appear from the root systems of many trees and shrubs such as lilac, cherries, Robinia. On grafted plants such as roses, suckers can grow from below the graft union, on the rootstock material. Suckers are usually removed by gently pulling off when young. can affect the appearance of Pittosporum but is unlikely to cause a serious lack of vigour and so control is not necessary. Plant suckers can be a part the biodiversity

The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems. a healthy garden supports.

• Often suckers do not affect the growth or vigour of plants and so should be tolerated
• Encouraging predators and other natural enemies of suckers, in the garden, such as birds, ladybirds, wasps and ground beetles will help keep damage to a minimum
• If necessary distorted leaves can be removed from the plant however, this may cause more damage than the insect

Originating from New Zealand, pittosporum sucker

Suckers are growths that appear from the root systems of many trees and shrubs such as lilac, cherries, Robinia. On grafted plants such as roses, suckers can grow from below the graft union, on the rootstock material. Suckers are usually removed by gently pulling off when young. became established in south west England in 1993 and it has now spread throughout southern England, is established in parts of Scotland and also occurs in Ireland.

The whitish green nymphs are extremely flat and, almost scale-like in appearance. The yellowish green adult insects have two pairs of wings which are held in a roof-like fashion over the insect’s abdomen when at rest and are usually 3-4 mm long. There are several generations during the summer with most damage occurring when new growth is developing.