Little green bugs on bamboo

[amysquires]

I've had two large (10 ft) tall bamboo trees for about a year with no problems. Two days ago I noticed these very small green bugs on the leaves - any idea what they are OR how to get rid of them? Any help would be very, very appreciated.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Amy, it sounds like it may be aphids or leafhoppers.
If you are able to take a picture and upload it here, it would be helpful.

Do they scurry away to the other side of the leaf when you turn a leaf over?

Is there a black or sticky coating on the outer side of some leaves?

A remedy is to spray with insecticidal soap - one brand is called Safer Soap there's other brands.

You can also use soapy water.

Here's a pic of aphids in late winter (Georgia) before they had an opportunity to green up.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/601/thumbs/PaHarbinD2BGA050216-713.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3307&cat=555)

Mark

[amysquires]

Hi Mark -
Thank you so much for your reply. They don't look like the bugs you have pictured - they are really thin and bright green, a little lighter than the bamboo leaves. We first noticed the dead ones on the ceiling (they turn black when they hit the light) but now they seem to be on one side of each of the trees. I haven't been able to find a picture that looks like this kind - I've got to try something to get rid of them so I might take your suggestion. Many thanks again for your quick reply!
Best,
Amy

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Amy, do a google (image) search for leafhopper - there are many types depending on their host plant - but see if their shape resemble what you have.

The remedy would be the same.

Also another way to dislodge some of the population is to hose down the plant with a jet spray of water from a hose.

Mark

[amysquires]

Fantastic - thanks again Mark!

[amysquires]

Hi Mark -
One more question - I found Garden Safe Houseplant & Garden insecticidal spray. I can't possibly take the trees outside to spray them and I have a cat - any suggestions? The spray says there are some hazards to humans and domestic animals if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Do you think if I sprayed and kept the cat in a locked room and then washed the wood floors by the trees it would be OK? I'm never sure how seriously to take the precautions.
Many thanks again,
Amy

[ddhort]

Depending on the circumference of your plant(s) put down the canvas type painters tarp around the container. The cat will be fine after the spray dries, and so will you. Good idea to at least wear rubber gloves. Fortunately insecticidal soap, compared to the alternatives, is fairly benign. Since this is indoors I suspect it is aphids as leafhoppers (at least over the 25 years I've cared for interior plants) never venture inside but aphids are always a problem.

It is unfortunate that you cannot dolly the plant(s) outside. That is where you'll get the most effective coverage and can hose the plant down after applying the soap. We always dropped the grow pot down into the decorative container so that we could remove the plant for whatever reason foregoing the lifting of the decorative pot which is not only heavy but at times fragile.

Best of success defeating the critters.

Regards,
David

[amysquires]

Great idea and so quick too! Thanks so much David - I'm in New York so it's a wonder I ever got the trees up the stairs in the first place! I could also use the Arm & Hammer/H2O mixture if you think that might be better (I read about it as an alternative online). My green thumb is struggling a bit but I'm not giving up the fight! Thanks again for your help.
Best,
Amy

[Mark Meckes]

Thanks David! I've been retired from the growing biz for a while so appreciate your comments.

Amy, do you have any idea what kind of bamboo you have?

Just to be certain, is it a bamboo palm? (which btw isn't actually a bamboo)
(type bamboo palm at Google search > images)

Mark

[amysquires]

Hi Mark -
It doesn't look like bamboo palm - it looks more like golden bamboo. They are tall and definitley look like bamboo - a couple of the stalks turned more to the beige yellow bamboo look and were impossible to break -hence my thinking they are real bamboo - but you guys are the experts. I'm getting some painters tarps tomorrow a.m. and I'll douse them in spray. Thanks again for all your speedy help.
Best,
Amy

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Amy, I just wanted to be certain because palms have different bugs, and also when you mentioned in your first post that you have bamboo 'trees' , which sounds good to me, but technically, a bamboo isn't a tree because unlike a tree, the stalk, or culms it produces don't live the whole life of the plant but live for X number of years and are (hopefully) replaced by a cycle of new culms that emerge during their annual shooting cycle.
My 'hopeful' reference is in regards to container grown bamboo ... of providing necessary nutrients so that new shoots will equal the size of it's predecessors.
How long have you had the bamboo and has it produced any new shoots?

One key to determining at least whether it's a tropical/subtropical bamboo or a temperate species ...

Does it have 2 branches growing from the nodes or are there 3+ branches growing from each node (further up the stalk)?

Yes, I'm the curious type when it comes to bamboo ;)

Mark

[amysquires]

Hi Mark -
Yes, it's definitely produced more shoots in the year we've had them. There are three branches growing from each node. The "trees" are about 8 - 10 feet tall - the leaves are green with browned tips and the stems are light brown/tan. It works out well for me that your curious about bamboo! Many, many thanks,
Amy