Troubleshooting
Peregrina problems — and how to fix them
Peregrina (Jatropha integerrima) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Scale insects
Brown soft scale and armored scale colonize stems and leaf undersides, causing yellowing and sooty mould. Treat with horticultural oil or a systemic insecticide. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves.
Leaf drop in cool temperatures
Temperatures below 10 °C cause leaf drop and stem dieback. The plant typically resprouts from the base or lower stems when warmth returns. Bring container specimens indoors before the first cool spell.
Leaf miners
The larvae of leaf-mining flies or moths create serpentine tunnels in leaves, disfiguring the foliage. Remove and destroy affected leaves; use systemic insecticide for severe infestations. Generally a cosmetic problem that does not threaten plant health.
Prevent peregrina problems before they start
Most peregrina issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Peregrina problems — FAQ
Why is my peregrina scale insects?
Brown soft scale and armored scale colonize stems and leaf undersides, causing yellowing and sooty mould. Treat with horticultural oil or a systemic insecticide. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves.
Why is my peregrina leaf drop in cool temperatures?
Temperatures below 10 °C cause leaf drop and stem dieback. The plant typically resprouts from the base or lower stems when warmth returns. Bring container specimens indoors before the first cool spell.
Why is my peregrina leaf miners?
The larvae of leaf-mining flies or moths create serpentine tunnels in leaves, disfiguring the foliage. Remove and destroy affected leaves; use systemic insecticide for severe infestations. Generally a cosmetic problem that does not threaten plant health.