scale can it survive in soil?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
paani Cowichan Valley, BC(Zone 8b) Sep 13, 2013

I had an indoor potted tree infested with scale.
After trying horticultural oil, neem, alochol rub etc., and having the scale re-emerge,
I finally gave up and got rid of the tree.

There's a lot of soil (3' x 2' pot)

Question is -- if I take off the first 6" of soil or so, is it safe to re-use the rest,
or could scale still be lurking, ready to re-emerge yet again?

(The pot has been sitting without any plant in or near it for 6-8 months now).

Post #9659058
Quote
Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Sep 13, 2013

As cheap as soil is, I would toss it, not risk transmitting anything such as fungi or other problems.
I am not sure if most scale could survive in soil, and I would highly doubt survival without a host for as long as yours has been sitting. Other issues, though...

Here is how you can sterilize the soil:
Google the work Solarize.
It means putting the soil in a clear plastic bag, or a box with a glass lid and letting the sun heat it until it has killed whatever is in it. The soil should be moist when you put it in there. The steam generated by heating does the work. If it is a shallow layer I would not disturb it, just let it bake for several days of full sun. If it is a deeper layer of soil I would stir it in the morning, perhaps every 2-3 days.

I made a box out of 2" thick lumber sides, 3/4" plywood bottom, caulk it all around. Glass cover was an old window. Overall size was about 3' x 3' x 1'. Inside was a tray to hold the material I was heating up close to the glass.
It got hot enough to do the job I needed, over 110 degrees F.

Post #9659232
Quote
paani Cowichan Valley, BC(Zone 8b) Sep 14, 2013

thanks very much Diana, I'll try that since it was good organic potting soil and it's a really big pot!

Post #9659749
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Garden Pests and Diseases Threads

Go to all Garden Pests and Diseases threads
BACK TO TOP