I read the thread about using a systemic Bayer product and its possible effect on butterflies. I have been wondering about something similar. I would like to start a butterfly and hummingbird garden in the back corner of my yard, but I do use Bayer All in One Rose and Flower Care Concentrate, sometimes also referred to as Bayer "3 in 1" or "all in one", to feed my roses during Beetle season. Otherwise, the beetles have an will completely defoliate my roses and chrysanthamums. I have photos of plants in June and July that are bare sticks from the leaves being completlely eaten away by beetles. Milky Spore does not work as well this far north, especiallly since the neighbors don't use it. The Bayer gets watered into the soil around individual plants, not sprayed on. I thought it might actually be safer to use something the butterflies won't come in direct contact with on surface of the leaves. The chemical only effects things that eat the leaves since it is contained inside the leaf. With a spray, even after it dries, the dry or powder form of the chemical must remain on the surface of the leaf. Was my thinking wrong? According to Bayer's response, I would interpret it to mean that it is not in the pollen or on the outside of the leaf. I would love to have them confirm that. Anyone know for sure? I don't want to raise butterflies and poison them at the same time, and it may not be compatible with growing roses in the same yard. I would be sure not to use anything like that in the butterfly garden itself. I also don't usually use it on any of the other perennials in my flower gardens. I would also like to know if fungicides have any effect on them because I do use spray on fungicides to control blackspot on the roses and powdery mildew on the phlox. My veggie garden and small pond are completly organic and I plant to keep the Butterfly/Hummingbird garden the same. But the roses and phlox that require some chemical treatments are on the same property. I do avoid completely any spray on insecticides on any plants in my yard . I would appreciate any opinions or advise.
Sue
Bayer Systemics and Butterfies and Hummingbirds
This is my first post here, so I am not familiar with what types of questions usually generate responses. No one here who has a butterfly or hummingbird garden has ever tried these systemic Bayer products in their yards and can tell what their experience was? If not, any suggestions on where else I might ask?
Thanks!
Sue
Hi Sue, I don't use that Bayer product so I'm not sure what damage it does to butterflies and other wanted insects. I don't like the pesticide Imidiclorpid and don't use it, but I understand how horrible the Jap beetles are and the damage they do to your roses.
In my garden I usually pull plants that require a lot of products to keep them looking good. I had a Hibiscus that was a pain, always had some bugs on it, so I pulled it, it just wasn't worth it. I don't think there is an easy solution
This is just my opinion.
There is a Forum called Garden Pest......something, maybe you could get some solutions there.
Usually, many people will post and help out, it seems a little slow lately, I'm sure more peeps will post.
I suppose you will have to use your judgment on the Bayer if the Bayer people themselves won't/can't tell you. I know the Japanese Beetle is difficult to combat as is powdery mildew. (which is why I quit growing roses, too.)
I do not know how 'enclosed' your yard is, but your BFs and Birds may be happy to have just a little corner of it planted in untreated butterfly plants, have the use of your wonderful pond plants and habitat, and won't bother your roses since they have better treats available elsewhere.
I know on our cul de sac most of the yards are sprayed by the Tru-green people on a regular basis and I think the birds and BFs concentrate on our garden as a reaction...
Anyway, I say give the butterfly garden a try and see what happens. If it works it will be wonderful.
I have a patch of roses in the bird corner of the back yard. They hid from Hawks all winter in there. The back is moreover dedicated to butterfly larval hosts and nectar plants as well. Butterflies and hummers are the predominate theme for the most part.
That said, I will use only organic products or natural means (benificial insects, lady bugs etc.) to fertilize or keep even the roses. By doing this the roses are very healthy. There are no Japanese Beetles here either.
I know to suggest this is a big load because I have found it is a whole new world of gardening for most people. It's a full course of learning for those who are driven and up to the challenge. The products available have made it very easy to find them and use them to solve a 'problem', when keeping an eco system is cheaper and better for all living things that visit one's garden.
To tell you the truth if it comes to using chemicals to keep my 10 year old roses healthy, then the roses will go. But like I say benifical insects keep the garden while I sleep, and I use nothing but organic. I wouldn't trust the Bayer products anywhere near my back yard. Ultimatly a link would be missing from the ecosystem by using it imho.
Gheese, sorry so long..It's something I am passionate about, and it drove me to study a lot about it.
I released a few Lady bugs today...now that it is dark I will lightly wet the garden and release the rest of them.
Hope you find something your happy with!
Deb
