P.O.Box 210847 * Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33421-0847 * 561-655-6940 * Fax 561-798-0445

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1.) “How much water should I use when mixing a bottle of OTC?”
Our web site has a whole section on determining the dose and mixing the OTC. However, some of our more experienced clients have found that a stronger than normal dose has proven beneficial and cost effective at saving trees. The best results have been accomplished by adding only 60cc of distilled water to a bottle and then injecting 4 1/2cc to 5cc of this solution per treatment, per tree. This procedure will yield 25 doses per bottle.

2.) “For the second treatment in the same hole, why can’t I just inject into the casing?”
If using the same hole for the second treatment, you must first pull the casing, drill 1/2 inch deeper to re-injure the tree, re-insert the casing, and then inject the antibiotic. If you don’t do this, due to compartmentalization, the OTC stays “trapped” in the cavity and has trouble getting into the sap flow of the tree.

3.) “Why should I use the Casings and not just squirt the antibiotic into a hole drilled into the tree?”
The casing inserts serve 3 vital functions:

• They seal the drilled hole and keep the antibiotic from seeping out.
• By sealing the hole with the casing and then injecting the antibiotic into it, you can create a small amount of pressure in the cavity. This pressure helps get the antibiotic flowing into the tree’s vascular system.
• They reduce the opportunity for pathogen entry.

4.) “I have drilled all the holes in my trees, then inserted all the casings and then tried to inject. Why can’t I
get the antibiotic injected into the tree?”
Completely treat only one tree at a time. Mix the antibiotic with water before you start. Drill the hole, tap in the casing, and inject the antibiotic. Then move on to the next tree. Do not drill all the holes, insert all the casings and then try to inject the trees. This allows the tree’s internal pressure (a/k/a turgor pressure) to build up inside the hole, making it difficult or even impossible to inject the correct dosage of antibiotic into the tree.

5.) “How come my syringe seizes up after it has been in storage?”
Probably because you didn’t clean it well. After using our syringes, thoroughly rinse them with water, then draw cooking or vegetable oil into the syringe. Never use WD40 or any other petroleum based lubricants. Rinse thoroughly with water before using again.

6.) “Can I “save” an already infected tree?”
Utilizing OTC to combat LY evolved as a preventative program, not a cure. Your focus should be on preventatively treating healthy (non-symptomatic) trees before they contract LY. Occasionally, with the application of multiple doses at greater frequencies, success can be achieved in “saving” an infected tree.

Remember, we want your Lethal Yellowing Control Program to be successful. So if you have any questions or if we can be of any help, please feel free to call the office or send us an e-mail. We’d be glad to hear from you.