What Is Wrong With My Breadfruit?

Are there any brown spots that turn white with mold spores on the fruits?

Do the leaves have any small circular or irregularly shaped dry spots that are gray to straw in color?

Are the roots dark brown, plants wilt, yellow, and die?

Are the growing shoots wilted or dying, a gummy exudate is present?

Is the flesh of the fruit brown, soft, and foul-smelling; small maggots may be present?

Do the leaves and stems have white, cottony clusters on them?

Breadfruit fruit rot is a fungal disease that attacks breadfruit. The first sign is a brown spot that turns white with mold spores. It is usually spread by contaminated soil splashing up onto the fruit and then by wind. You can prevent fruit rot by trimming back low branches and removing any affected fruit before they contaminate the rest. Mulching under the tree also helps.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Anthracnose. Keep plants dry when watering to prevent spread. Spray plants with copper when the first fruit develops if you have had problems in the past. Bordeaux mixture can also help to protect the plant from the disease.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Pythium Root Rot. Remove and dispose of any affected plants. Do not overwater plants. Apply a copper-based fungicide to protect plants.

These symptoms may indicate twig borers. These small caterpillars tunnel into growing shoots and fruits and feed on the inside. Prune off the affected fruits and shoots below the entry point and destroy them. If you find holes in larger branches, slide the wire into the hole to kill borers inside.

The adult fruit flies lay their eggs just under the skin of semi-repine fruits. The maggots develop and feed inside the fruit, and fall out of the fruits to pupate in the soil when they mature. Control this pest by destroying all infested fruits as soon as you find them. Chemical sprays are most effective when combined with a protein bait to attract the insect.

White, cottony clusters on leaves and stems are caused by mealybugs. These tiny insects are covered with a fluffy white coating. They feed by sucking plants sap. They produce the sticky substance honeydew which makes leaves sticky. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

If the leaves are covered by the sticky substances the culprits are scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.