what do you use on your brugs to keep insects off?I got brugs that something is eating top leaves not any other robin
what do you use on your brugs to keep insects off????
I use worm castings in the soil when I pot them up, but for spraying them, I use a peroxide/dish soap/water concoction. I think I mix it 2 parts water 1 part peroxide and a couple drops NON antibacterial dish soap. Seems to work well for me.
Totally depends upon the insect that is on them......
Some insects are easy to kill but for others you have to bring out the BIG GUNS, powerful insecticides.
First course of action is to identify the critter.
Judy
I still use a good all round pesticide. However, not for long anyway. I noticed, that some Brugmansia are naturally resistant towards many insects esp. spitermites, so I cull those, that I call spitermite magnets (no matter, how popular hybrid or how distinguished flower) and keep the more or less resistent hybrids. A thumb of rule: Often hybrids with smooth leaves are insect magnets, but those with more of less hairy leaves have a good resistence. There are of course exceptions.
.... I hope that I did not advice you to toss your entire collection ;)
Tonny
Tonny,
Truly great advice that I'm going to have to force myself to take.
Judy
thank you all , i will id insect and i wanted to know if the soap and peroxide hurt the brugs they are growing well
I'm with Tonny, only the strong (bug resistant) survive. My collection had gotten entirely out of hand. I'm slowly reducing the numbers as they lose favor with me.
Funny how they multiply, Linda. You get too many so fast.
Life is too short to be constantly battling bugs. I toss the troublemakers too eventually. I read where all the nitrogen we feed them cause the fast fresh green growth which is what is so irresistible to the mites.
I have heard of similar mixtures like yours AuntB working great. I know I was hesitant to spray my plants with hydrogen pyroxide but I actually think they like it. Do worm castings help repel bugs? I am using lots of that in my soil mix now. Can you use too much?
Sorry Kell, I didn't get back here to check... I'll "watch this thread". (I'm new!) I'm not sure why the castings work.... I read somewhere it is especially good for detering spider mite. I think it is just worm "waste". Can you imagine earning a living selling worm poop??? It is kinda pricey, I think, but I guess it works... (don't want to jinx myself). I just sprinkle some in the mix when I'm potting. Depends on how much I have on hand and how many brugs I'm repotting.... no formula. I don't think you can use too much, it's not very potent as a fertilizer. I try to stay organic as much as possible. I also mist or shower the foliage if it doesn't rain for a couple days, mites don't like that either.
Knock on wood!!! I have'nt had many bug problems this year on any of my plants. The only thing I have been doing diffrent is giving everything a good stiff spray down every morning and then a good misting in the afternoon (mainly for heat). No mites, a few white flys on Butterfly and a Meyer lemon and a few horn worms. Of corse that said all bugs will be making a bee line for my house.
Caren