Problem with Coffee Trees in Kedron / Brisbane

System

A friend has had a hedge of coffee trees for a good few years.  They have just noticed that all teh leaves on teh bottom branches appear to have been eaten by something ???

Only a few little green grasshoppers around and I suggested (with a smile) that maybe BIG cane toads have discovered a liking for coffee trees  :D

Any way if some one can shed any light on this, it would be nice to pass on some information.

Koffee_Kosmo

I think its a combination of bugs & lots of rain KK

Ronin

Could be white fly.... I've been looking into companion planting and found with coffee trees, either Basil or Maragolds are supose to work well. Purchased and planted yesterday as my first crop is being eaten before ripe. Just north from Kedron.

Ronin

Something else my brother the organic hobby farmer suggested... 1. Condy's crystals..a few drops in a bucket of water (will turn the water pink)...it controls powdery mildew and is used by some gardners to kill ants in potted plants...it is toxic to worms as well, so be careful 2. Molasses spray..1 tablespoon of molasses disloved in 1 litre of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of pure liquid soap (recomend an organic one)..it is great for stopping caterpillars (double strength helps with possums) lawn grubs etc (4 tablespoons /litre of water)..limit soil applications as it will also kill off earthworms. Hope this helps someone