Help. I have some basic peach-colored brugmansias that I've over wintered here in Montana. I've been battling spider mites all winter. So far I've used insecticidal soap, pyrethrins and neem oil. The mites survived. So yesterday I tried a systemic with disulfoton in it - granules worked into the soil (Bayer Advanced Garden Rose and Flower) Today my brugs look pathetic. Is this stuff toxic to brugmansias? I'm not sure what to do.
brugmansia and spider mites
I have found that brugs tolerate orthenx and pyola very well. In your case, if they aren't very big, take the plants outside and hose off the whole plant and all of the dirt on the roots until you are left with bare roots. Then stick it in a bucket of luke warm half strength fertilizer while you mix up a new batch of potting medium then repot it. After repotting it, spray the heck out of it with one of the above and put it outside weather permitting. I find this method will perk up and save just about everything. Roses especially. Also, I have quit using potting soil. I use a peat based potting mix called ProMix. Much lighter and root friendly than dirt.
If they are too big, then dig out as much of the granules as you and add fresh potting medium.
X
This message was edited May 8, 2006 9:33 PM
Oh Colchie, I have been there. I never have lost a bigger brug but sure have burned them and have lost small ones and other plants due to Bayer rose systemic. It is the fertilizer that burns the roots I do believe. Is this what you think happened? The roots got burned? My leaves would get all burned too and drop.
I now am very careful with it. I always water the day before I use it so the plant does not drink up too much at once of the fertilizer. I also am careful to sprinkle it all over around the roots instead of letting it clump. And I never use a heavy hand. Well I do, and I then pay for it. LOL I also try never to use it on pots under 1 gallon in size.
I have never taken quite such drastic measures as Xeramtheum suggests as far as taking all the dirt off, but if they are really burned you may have too. I usually scoop out all the top dirt and then flush and flush that pot. You can take the plant out of the pot and flush it that way with the hose too.
Mine usually drop all their leaves also fast. So you need to be careful not to drown it after it drops them for it won't need much water till it grows them the leaves back. I moved my burned plants into the shade to recover and even took some out of their pots and put newspaper over them to dry the roots out some after I flushed them so much. Do not let the sun hit them.
Because of the way I have burned my brugs with that Bayer, I now buy disulfoton by itself on ebay and use it alone to combat spider mites if I have them particularly bad. It never has burned my plants when used alone.
Good luck! Makes sure you scoop out what is left on top. Also with the leaf drop, you may have cured your mite problem too. And I would not fertilize again till you have nice new roots and the plant has recovered fully.