Holes in lower leaves – pest or deficiency? What should I do?

[GrowingLucrezia]

Hi growers,

My outdoor plant has just entered early flowering. I noticed several small holes and yellow/brown spots on the lower leaves (see photos). The top leaves look healthy and unaffected.

I’m trying to figure out if this is caused by pests (like caterpillars, beetles, or leaf miners) or maybe some kind of deficiency or fungus.
What do you think is causing the damage? And what’s the best way to treat it at this stage?
Can I still use neem oil or insecticidal soap on the lower leaves without affecting flowering? Or is something like BT or Spinosad a safer option?
If left untreated can this kill my plant, I mean is it a really serious problem? in any case obviously I want to solve it
Thanks in advance for any advice or feedback!

(I noticed an insect on top of the plant, it's the last picture, could that be the problem?)

 

[Oldchucky]

Hi growers,

My outdoor plant has just entered early flowering. I noticed several small holes and yellow/brown spots on the lower leaves (see photos). The top leaves look healthy and unaffected.

I’m trying to figure out if this is caused by pests (like caterpillars, beetles, or leaf miners) or maybe some kind of deficiency or fungus.
What do you think is causing the damage? And what’s the best way to treat it at this stage?
Can I still use neem oil or insecticidal soap on the lower leaves without affecting flowering? Or is something like BT or Spinosad a safer option?
If left untreated can this kill my plant, I mean is it a really serious problem? in any case obviously I want to solve it
Thanks in advance for any advice or feedback!

(I noticed an insect on top of the plant, it's the last picture, could that be the problem?)

Kind of an unflattering picture! and not a very clear one, but I’m thinking some kind of hopper! And yeah, they can cause that kind of damage! I have some tiny ones that will mark the leaves up, but I’ve never considered them any kind of major problem! Other than the off chance that they can vector in some kind of disease! Just two cents!

 

[Ninjadogma]

Kind of an unflattering picture! and not a very clear one, but I’m thinking some kind of hopper! And yeah, they can cause that kind of damage! I have some tiny ones that will mark the leaves up, but I’ve never considered them any kind of major problem! Other than the off chance that they can vector in some kind of disease! Just two cents!

We have psyllids around here carrying a disease that ruins citrus trees and there's no fix once they're hit. The fruits stop ever ripening again when they get infected.

 

[GrowingLucrezia]

Kind of an unflattering picture! and not a very clear one, but I’m thinking some kind of hopper! And yeah, they can cause that kind of damage! I have some tiny ones that will mark the leaves up, but I’ve never considered them any kind of major problem! Other than the off chance that they can vector in some kind of disease! Just two cents!

Yes ur right. That makes sense.. I’ve noticed some minor damage mostly on the lower leaves, while the top ones look healthy. If it’s hoppers, do you think it’s worth treating with neem oil at this early flowering stage? or maybe I shouldn't do anything? I want to avoid doing more harm than good.

 

[Oldchucky]

I live in a dry climate, so I use water to battle everything! If they bother you or become too big of a problem, blast the plant with water if it will dry fairly quickly! Or shake them off, but they will probably be back! I just haven’t found them to be anything a plant can’t handle! Luckily this rarely happens, but if I get cornered by a problem, I prefer something like pure crop one! The plant actually seemed to like it! It’s kind of up to you! You’re the grower! That’s what you get paid the big bucks to make those decisions!

 

[Oldchucky]

We have psyllids around here carrying a disease that ruins citrus trees and there's no fix once they're hit. The fruits stop ever ripening again when they get infected.

I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of that Astor yellow disease that is serious! And it looks like it is spread by psyllids or hoppers! The one where the new growth turns purple, right out of the gate and the plant slowly dies! Seems to be more of a problem back east, but sounds like it is spreading! I think it wipes out carrot harvest among other things! If that shit comes to your neighborhood, it is bad news!

 

[GrowingLucrezia]

I live in a dry climate, so I use water to battle everything! If they bother you or become too big of a problem, blast the plant with water if it will dry fairly quickly! Or shake them off, but they will probably be back! I just haven’t found them to be anything a plant can’t handle! Luckily this rarely happens, but if I get cornered by a problem, I prefer something like pure crop one! The plant actually seemed to like it! It’s kind of up to you! You’re the grower! That’s what you get paid the big bucks to make those decisions!

ok thank you very much. now I will see if I should use neem or avoid it and proceed with simpler solutions. Thank you very much as always