Thanks Tammie. Last Fall I sprayed everything after I trimmed and before I brought it inside at the 20-1 ratio. So far, I haven't seen the dreaded subject of this thread. I didn't notice it burned the ee's, but I usually lose a lot of those leaves anyway. I have been battling aphids on brugs and an ee, but I'm hesitant to spray the polymer, AS-2000 inside. These plants are in my basement, under fluorescent lights on timers and I keep it above 60* and use a fan occasionally for circulation. I'm using H2O2 right now and it seems to be effective in getting the upper hand. The tropical hibiscus appear to be doing wonderful, I even had a little bloom last week, no worries there. Besides deterring the M word, I think it helped in moisture retention. I had cut a tree size brugs at ground level, last fall. I trimmed most of the leaves off and left some buds, sprayed with the AS, stuck them in a 5-gal bucket of water, placed in a dimmer part of the basement. They continue to have leaves, the buds all bloomed and they have huge roots now. I really didn't expect the buds to open or to keep the leaves. I 'll continue my experimental trial with the polymer, once spring arrives, and anxiously await the opportunity. I didn't wear a mask, but I was careful to stay out of the spray.
RE: "Maybe a cure for mites!!!"
I have been 'M' free this winter on the treated plants. Aphids don't seem to be deterred tho. I hope this doesn't curse me lol!
Caren
Okay we need reports of success or failure.
Happ, I don't think it's that black or white. My plants are all just now getting all their leaves grown, things are starting to get lush. I've contemplated not using it this summer, but I think when I find time I will spray the brugs and hibs with it (and anything else until I finish what I mix) I really think it helps with moisture retention. I did get aphids in the basment last winter, but NOT mites.. I think the trick is to spay EVERYTHING you're bringing in; top to bottom, front to back and side to side. Leave no leaf, bud or stem unsprayed. I don't feel it's fair to say it's not successful or it's successful, as I just used it the one time... I want to test it further.. Anyone spray it this spring/summer?
I had a miserable time with spider mites year before last.. used insecticides and still lost plants to them. Last year I used the AS 2000 .. I had spider mites again but was able to keep them under control by spraying every time they were visible. It was no where near the infestation I ended up with the year before so in my opinion.. it worked for me. I also was more comfortable spraying it inside the house instead of insecticides which I used none over the winter.
Tammie
I've sprayed once this year in late May. I had very few Mites if any over winter and I have 2 plants with mites I'm treating now. The thing of it is you have to spray on some kind of a schedule because of the new leaves. I Gave everything a good spray down in May and I'm about ready to do it again to get the new leaves that have come up since.
It really helps with wilting too. I will continue to use it.
Caren
Really Tammie, I was afraid to spray it inside.. like it would coat the floor and boxes of stored items in the basement with plastic... ... but gosh couldn't be messier than Neem.. that left a sticky/oily coating on pot rims and my work table. I am going to keep using the AS-2000, too. If the aphids would have been spider mites, I MITE not have any brugs left. Thanks for the responses, Ladies..