Over a year ago, I noticed that the leaves of the Araliya trees, of which I have many varieties, were covered with mealy bug (pitti makuna) on the underside and a black fungus on top. As the trees needed pruning, I did so and quickly disposed of all the branches. Having written to the curator of the Peradeniya Gardens, he advised me to get rid of all diseased foliage as the mealy bug spreads by air. The mealy bug and the black fungus complement each other. Not only were the Araliya trees diseased, but everything underneath or nearby started turning black, inclusive of the garden walls. I pruned clusters of kentia palms, ornamental shrubs and a citrus tree, which had provided me for years with delicious fruits, now all black. Mr. Seneratne, meanwhile curator of Hakgalla Gardens, recommended a pesticide, the name of which I cannot remember being unable to locate our correspondence. Spraying was, however, not effective. The leaves of the Araliya trees grew back only to be covered with the same disease again and a new one making its appearance called ‘Rust’, dark yellow dots on the underside of the leaves, fortunately on only a few trees. I had the new leaves removed three times and gave up.

Meanwhile, I had noticed that all gardens in this area had the same problem and finally it was confirmed that most of the WP was affected. When the weather pattern was more regular in days gone by, the Araliya trees would shed their leaves entirely once or twice a year with only the flowers remaining. I have not noticed that for a long time. A friend recommended spraying with soap water and khomba oil, which helped to some extent. A botanist suggested "ACTARA", which is now being used by hundreds of people according to the shop where I brought this remedy. Well, I hope it will prove to be one. Yet, with the rains persisting, spraying is useless.

The only setback is that not everybody is attending to this problem. As far as the mealy bug is concerned, it has always been present but was mostly concentrating on hibiscus shrubs, which most gardeners washed down with bar soap. Bugs were also kept at bay to a certain extent by spraying against mosquitoes by the MC. If this blight is to be eliminated, the Ministry of Agriculture might have to step in as only concerted action will bring any results. What effects the spread of this blight might have on agriculture, orchards etc., I would not know.