Has anyone tried using FORBID on hoyas for mites?
I already have the bottle, and the label says don't use on geraniums, but that's it. I picked this product because it should be effective on the two types of mites I think I have (and possibly a third that I may have been exposed to).
I'm planning on doing a spraydown of a growing area that has a few each of hoyas, stapeliads, other succulents, orchid cactus, and orchids. The current plan is to hit everything in that grow area, and if things survive, to treat my other plants.
If this doesn't work, I swear I will just quit growing anything that is susceptible...! (I did do neem sprays but cannot logistically do the spraying regularly.)
FORBID for mites
I love the name "Forbid"- it sounds so ominous and final. How could it NOT work?
Keyring...is it a miticide? Does it contain ovicide? If it doesn't, you are going to HAVE to repeat the spraying every 6-7 days to take care of the emerging mites from the eggs, and you should do it 3 times, minimum. If it does have an ovicide, 2 times ought to do it. None of them are 100% effective, so you really have to repeat. Also, use as fine a spray as you can...like a 'mist' if that works....
Have you tried detergent and salad oil? (insecticidal soap?) It works as a sufficant...
I'm sure they named it for suckers like me. Here's the info. http://www.rosemania.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product147.html
I have gear and such for safety.
I always use surfectant - the plants are not cooperative, however. Hoyas tend to be relatively easy, with flat leaves that don't grow on top of each other - some of the other plants, OTOH... :(
I did do a 4 or 5 round of neem once and the mites didn't come back noticeably for months. I now have way too many plants to do it that way though, and some are sensitive to oil sprays. I also won't be able to do much of anything all winter and I have at most 3 wks to do the treatment before travel schedules get in the way.
The price is horrendous but the orchids cost more. (Yes, I was shocked myself when I did the math. Just when did this hobby get so out of control?)
So no one has heard of anyone using this product on hoyas?
Keyring, there is also a Bayer product for roses that is a systemic insecticide and miticide, and has a slow release fertilizer. I've used it with good success on outdoor plants. I don't think it is suggested for use on inside plants, but it may be applicable for greenhouse plants. Works in one dose for at least two months.
Have you found it effective as a miticide? Some of the plants with a serious mite explosion have that Bayer do-everything in the mix. It's working great for mealies, of course. I wish it didn't have fert in it, though.
It seems to have worked well for me, eliminating mites and thrip in a lot of garden plants. I don't know that I used it on already infested plants, it might work better as a preventative. I wish it didn't have a fertilizer in it as well. I'm talking about the "rose care" one that is a fert, insecticide and miticide. There is one newer one that has a fungicide in the mix as well- the fungicide in that one doesn't seem to be very effective.
Here's a link to a discussion in a brug forum about using anti-transpirants for mite control. Looks interesting!
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/brug/msg090328378869.html?21
and a link to the anti-stress 2000 being discussed:
http://www.terratech.net/product.asp?specific=jrjsfqe0
thanks for those links. That looks very interesting and definitely worth looking into.