Is there a way to get rid of scale insects on my lemon tree?

Lynn Mitchell, by email

AJAMES SAYS You have my sympathy! Scale insects are all too common on citrus and can have a debilitating effect on their vigour. First, move your plant out of the greenhouse and into a sheltered spot in the garden for the summer. This will not only give it more light and less intense heat, which will boost the plant’s ability to withstand the pest, but also exposes the insects to natural predators.

Next, thoroughly wipe down the whole plant, leaf by leaf, with a cloth soaked in soapy water – use just a drop of washing-up liquid per litre of water. This helps to dissolve the insects’ waxy coating, so they are easier to dislodge. It is strangely therapeutic and only takes about five minutes. If only ridding oneself of Twitter trolls was that easy!

Prickly gorse may deter cats and provide plentiful, vivid flowers

Apply summer citrus feed to keep plants healthy and promote flowering and fruit