My sis, BetsyJ, who some of you may remember (she used to belong, went back to work, daughters with busy schedules, etc.), asked me if I would post a question for her. It's time to bring in the hoyas here in Illinois. She started the process only to find some ants and, according to her, the world's largest living spider (teehee, this big sis STILL thinks it's funny when little sis is scared!), and fears other creepy crawlers are not far behind. Besides BATS, do any of you use any other "de-bugging" process before bringing in your hoyas for the winter?
Thanks from my sis!
Karen
Fall bug treatment
I often share telephone duties at Master Gardener with a wonderful fellow by the name of Shin. He is retired and was the #1 BUG guy at Hawaiian Ag. for many many years...so working with him answering questions, is always a great time and I learn SO MUCH. Shin takes a gentle or non-nuclear approach to most things and his solution to ants, spiders, mealies, beetles (I wrote Beatles HAHA) on the plants AND the soil is to submerge the plant, POT and ALL in a mild detergent mix in a bucket. (Should not use Dawn or Ultra which have some really toxic something in them). He lets the plant stay there submerged for a min or two, takes it out, lets it 'set' for a while and then hoses it down (but NOT completely) and drenches the pot with clean water. The detergent does not hurt the plant, nor the roots/soil but as a surfactant it will carry away (and from the soil, drive out) all the critters.
This was his solution when I had to clean a H. compacta that was full of mealie bugs...it worked!!!!
Sounds great! What was the detergent that you used for the compacta?
I think it would have been Arm&Hammer because it was near the Laundry Room.
Hoyas are tough!
I'm glad Karen started this thread because I too am getting ready to bring my plants inside for the winter. I've still got a few weeks ahead of me but I'd like to be prepared. If my wife sees creepy crawlies on my plants I'll be in big trouble ;)
Carol,
Have you any idea what ratios were used to create the mild 'dunking' solution? When you say detergent are you talking about Dish Soap? I saw you mention Dawn but I just want to be sure.
Is this method safe for recently rooted cuttings or small plants that are only rooted within the last season?
What results do you all get with Neem or are there any other foliar sprays you would recommend? Is there even a need if you submerge all the foliage in the detergent solution?
Maybe I will try this method and after flushing with clean water I'll use some BATS just for good measure :) I already used BATS at the beginning of the growing season so I don't know if I should use it again so soon though.
What is BATS?
Thanks,
Dee
It's a secret Hoya code for "Bayer Advance Tree & Shrub" :)
See here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/752283/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/729239/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/447186/
I hope this helps.
Take care,
-Andrew
Dunking the whole pot in soapy water or watering with it is one of my mom's old tricks when it comes time to bring in the plants. Use the mildest dish soap you can find, like Dove or Ivory. It definately works. Just to be on the safe side, and to show any stubborn spiders that I mean business, a few shots of Safers to the foliage is a good idea too.
OK...now I am wondering how much soap to the bucket of water? A squirt, a half cup, 2 capfulls, etc? I will be using one of those big Costco white detergent buckets. I always have sprayed them with Safers and used the BATS, but this sounds like a good first step to add.
Marcy
The 'soap' acts like a "sufficant" to kill the beasts...I jsut put in enough 'soap' (not an antibacteriacide...NOT Dawn nor Ultra)...and get the water so that it is mildly soapy....different hardness of water will react differently so it is hard to have exact measurements....Couple of Tablespoons?
I do a similar thing and use a biodegradable household cleaning solution that is sold at my closest store under the lovely name OrangePlus. The concentration I use is enough to make the water slightly orange in color - which means that it is really very weak. I would think not much strength would be needed for ants and such, as the idea is to flush/wash them away.
I've used it on rooted and unrooted cuttings as well as generally sensitive orchid seedlings (like pleurothallids) with no problem.
I have just found that the morning glory that is draped over a couple of hoyas is riddled with mites and really dread dealing with it. Argh.