Has anybody had any trouble with BATS?

I've "BATS'd" my plants a couple of times over the past couple of years, with no problems. However, I did it again a couple of weeks ago, and several of my plants look a little puny - wilty-looking leaves that turned a yellowish-greenish color. The worst is this variegated kerri - it looks burned! I used the usual amount of BATS per gallon (can't remember what that was off the top of my head, but I have it written on the watering can I use for the BATS, so I know it was correct). Has anyobne else ever had trouble when they used BATS?

Thanks,
Karen

Does BATS have a shelf life? Maybe it's gotten old...or perhaps the company changed the formula? Friday midnight shift at the BATS plant and some half asleep worker added too much of one ingredient or another?

I just did most all of my plants again for the fall & I am not seeing anything like that. Are you sure that plant has not been in the sun? Those look just like some I sunburned once.

Sistah K just a wild thought here, but after you used BATS did you leave the heat on in the greenhouse? I'm just wondering if it being too warm had anything to do with it.

Blessings,
Sistah A

Ok guys help a gal new to hoyas out, .....what's BATS

It's a systemic, used for insect control. It stands for Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub.

I burned my outside plants once with Bayers..............I think I mixed it wrong.........as I recall it is only 1 tablespoon per gallon in the sprayer and I overdid the mixture. Consequently I had a lot of burned and drooping plants...........but they came back beautifully............I also made sure when I first noticed the burn the next day that I watered real well clear through the soil.

I'm wondering now Karen....are you sure you shook the bottle of BATS real good before you put the ounce into the gallon container? I always make it a point to shake it up real good before removing the cap. If not...that may be something that went wrong. An overdoes of one certain thing or something. Don't really know. I have not had this trouble before.
Marcy

You've been using the Bayer Tree and Shrub on Hoyas??!! Learn something new every day. I'll have to try it. We even sell it where I work. Any tips or precautions any one could give? My plants are inside now- does that make a difference? Wow- never would have even thought to try it on anything but, well, trees and shrubs! LOL
Diane

You know, its so funny...I haven't read this thread until today because I thought- bats? I don't have bats that I've seen in my area!LOL Then thought might be interesting reading!

I haven't had any trouble using BATS on hoyas until this time. I believe I did shake it up, and the expiration date is ok. And, I have a particular watering can that I use only for the BATS. It was hot in the greenhouse before I brought the hoyas inside - so maybe that was the problem. I have rinsed everyone well with plain water - I'll just wait to see what happens from here. Thanks!!

Karen

Diane,

I've used it on my indoor plants. You should be fine, as long as you wash your hands after and as long as you have no pets that could get near the hoyas that you treat. Also, make sure you don't follow the dosage that's written on the bottle, because that's for trees. I think you're supposed to use 1 tbsp per gallon for hoyas.

Gabi

Think Im going to give it a try. You know how those mealy bugs like Hoyas! Haven't had them in a long time but with everything crammed in my sunroom over winter some kind of creature always manages to sneak in. Last winter it was spider mites? But noticed as I took plants in last week a few roly-poly bugs under pots Ugh!

I believe BATS is supposed to be administered at 1 ounce per gallon - what ever that translates into for tablespoons - I think it is two. I used an electronic kitchen scale to weigh mine in a gallon jug. BATS will help keep your plants free of Aphids and Mealybugs, but I don't think it will do a thing for Spidermites. I used it on all my Hoyas - once at the beginning of the Summer and once at the end. It caused no harm to my plants with the possible exception of H. macgillivrai. I have a theory, which may be totally wrong, but it is all that I can come up with, and that is that BATS is being exuded through some of the new growth and leaves of the plant in the form of a white waxy dust like substance. I have been flushing the soil, with plain water every time it becomes dry, and it seems to be slowly getting better.

Doug

Thanks for the dose, Doug. I wasn't sure and I love using this product when necessary.

After a conversation with Carol, I think my "mystery" has been solved - my soil was probably way too dry, and, when I watered with BATS, the plants "chugalugged" the BATS - causing problems for some. So, lesson learned, I'll make sure the soil isn't so dry the next time. Like I said, I've never had any problems with BATS before - I just think my greenhouse had gotten a little too hot, the soil dried out, and.......

Karen

For whatever it is worth, I try real hard to never give a plant either fertilizer or a chemical until the soil is at least damp and preferably wet.

The variegated Kerri is one on my "wish list" .... I sure hope your beautiful plant survives it's BATS bath!

I haven't tried BATS on houseplants before. We have the Bayer Advanced that my husband has used on trees and shrubs. I had no idea it could be used for other plants. We do have cats in the house so I'd be a little afraid to use it around them.

The active ingredient in BATS is the EXACT same chemical used to put ON the skin of dogs and cats against Fleas...it is the active ingredient. NO harm to animals.

Carol,
Interesting little tidbit. I didn't know that. Maybe I'll save some money (you know, for hoyas) and start pouring some BATS on my pooch instead of buying that ridiculously expensive flea and tick prevention! Okay, I'm kidding - but we ARE talking about 80 bucks worth of hoyas!