Hi,
This is my purple Streptocarpella and I just came home to find a big piece on the floor and I am not very thankful it did ... What is this white stuff? I have never seen this before... If it is a bug it is out the door as I can't afford for this stuff to get on my other stuff....
Thank you for any help.
What is this?
Can you take a picture of it? White stuff ... mealy bugs?
I am sorry I thought there was a picture attc.
Susan
Thank you so much, it is outside now... Will this go to my other plants? if so what do I use... I have allot of plants and I don't want this on them... I got this plant from a nursery... I am not a happy camper....
Thank you for your help.
Susan
I have had great luck with neem oil and it is safe to use around children and pets. Smells really bad though.
Can I use it on most house plants? I have this... I am just so affraid now that this is going to go to my Av' leaves and Chiritas... They are not close to each other but in the same room..
Susan
I've used it on most of mine, including a fuzzy lipstick plant. AV's I'm not sure, maybe try a test leaf? I do know that you can't subject them to direct sun for a couple days after.
Hay Sue
I just found this on robs violets I typed in mealy bug in that seach form up top they is alot of infor on them
Dimmer
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Question: I am experiencing a white "gooey" substance around the crown of some of my violets. Could you please tell me what this substance might be and how to get rid of it?
Answer: The likely answer, we're sad to say, is that this is likely evidence of a heavy mealy bug infestation. Mealy bug egg masses will often have this appearance. Individually, they can be seen as very small, white, waxy, rice-shaped (but smaller) insects. They will move, but do so very slowly. Sometimes eggs appear as a white dust on the shelf surface surrounding the plant. You likely also have them in the soil--you'll notice white patches, like confectioner's sugar, around the outside of the root ball. they also are often noticed around the base of the plant, on the neck, just above the soil surface.
As for how to get rid of them, this is a difficult proposition. From my experience, mealies are perhaps the most difficult pest to eliminate. Doin so usually means the use of very expensive and/or toxic chemicals. Two chemicals that we've found to be fairly (but not completely) effective are Enstar and Marathon. The former is a liquid that can be used as a drench or, better yet, used as a solution into which the entire plant is submerged. The latter is a granular, sand-like, material that is mixed into the soil and has systemic properties (i.e. the pests ingest it when they feed on the plant). Both, however, are very costly--$75 to $100 per 5 oz. bottle and 1 lb. package, respectively. For this reason (not to mention the exposure to toxins), it's usually better to just discard such a heavily infested plant.
Should you still wish to try to save the variety, we would suggest rooting the crown or leaves and starting over. Be sure that the material being rooted is as clean as possible. At the very least, washing with a mild soap (like Ivory), in lukewarm water. Since this plant has a heavy infestation in the crown, taking leaf cuttings would be the wiser choice. Even once these leaves produce plantlets, keep these plants separate from the rest of your collection until you are certain that the mealies haven't been passed on. Mealies are stubborn creatures!
Thank Ladies,
Kim the plant is in the trash now... I am now going to tomorrow have to go and look at all the ones near there... This tought me a lesson... don't put new with old... I have a bonide systemic granules 2% I may try on one or two plants to see what happens... I will also go to Lowes or Lowels(hahaha) and get the safer soap... I may have it here but have to look in shed...
Hugs, and thanks,
Susan
Oh No ... Mealy Bugs! Good that you threw that Streptocarpella in the trash, Susan! It looks to really be infested with those critters! I have had mealies on plants before and just take some q-tips and regular rubbing alcohol and clean wipe the mealies with the alcohol q-tips! That's easy if it's just a few of those critters but almost impossible if there are as many as seem to be on your plant! I sure hope your other plants are found to be mealy free!
I recently lost a bunch of my AV's and Episcia's and some gessie seedlings from something ... don't know what. It wasn't mealies ... never found any visible insects but whatever it was, it did a number on my plants. Everything looked really pretty one day and then within three days they were almost totally dead! I have been moving plants in when we've had cold spells so I'm assuming something came in with one of the plants!
I use the Insecticidal Soap Spray on a lot of things but have never tried it on AV's or fuzzy leaf plants. You should ask Gail ... I think she talked about using some granular kind of insecticide but can't remember the name of it! Maybe she will see this thread and come on and tell us. Gail has been gardening and growing plants for a long time so she will probably know what is good to use.
Go get Bayer's Advanced Tree and Shrub as a systemic treatment for outdoor plants or 'big' plants.........just put a couple of tablespoons to a gallon and water the plant with it.
I would NOT use this for the gesneriad family and house plants..........i use Marathon which I order from Cedar Creek Violets (I think)..............
There has to be a product that you can buy at Lowe's that has the same active ingredient that Marathon has.............but I wouldn't wait longer than tomorrow to treat systemically every plant you have in the house.......mealy bugs move quickly.
The other night I walked out on the porch and found my mandevillea covered all over with mealy bugs......I went right back in the house and mixed my Bayer's Advanced Tree and Shrub and watered the plant with it. The mealy bugs were completely gone 2 days and nothing else got them.............it just happened overnight getting them or I am just blind.........
Mealies do seem to "appear" all of a sudden! I think I read somewhere plants will be more likely to get mealy bugs if there is not good air circulation.
Ok I will go in the morning... I believe I have a Bayer something in the shed... If not going to lowes... Ok my question is this what can I use this on? I think my Passion flowers, the ones I grew from seeds may have them.... I am so upset... this is not good... I will also make a trip to the nursery tomorrow and tell them about this as I am sure this is where it came from... that is the only plant that had them like that... I have to go get my passion flower book and see if they say anything about this... My passion babies just a few are giving off a sap like drip... Is really sticky... smells kinda good... don't know if this is normal either.... Will see...
My hubby came home and said Oh your plant outside is going to die... LOL I said let it... then told him about my babies... I also have a P. Onion I don't want to loose... Means allot to me...
Thank you all so much for all the help.... You know I learned a true lesson today... NEVER bring home and put with plants I have.... I am also not going to put my plants outside this summer..
Hugs,
Susan
Well I must have seen this coming then as I just got before going to Kim's 4 new clip on fans for my plants ... Just never got around to putting them up....
Susan
What can I use on the AV's GAil?
SUsan
Susan: It's probably a good thing to put them outside in the summer time ... for the fresh air and sunshine! Just treat them all before you move them in for the winter months!
One time I said I was going to put all of my plants in the enclosed porch ... close all the doors and windows and set off one of those bug bombs! LOL ... I never did it - that was years ago and I don't think they even make those bombs anymore! I have heard some folks talk about putting their plants into large plastic garbage bags, putting some bug spray or something in and tying up the bags and leaving them for a few days! I don't remember what kind of insecticide they put in the bag though! Sheesh ... with all the plants I have it would take a hundred bags!
Go to your best nursery you can find and ask them what they sell that the active ingredient is Imidaclpoid (I can't see the writing even with #2.75 magnifying reading glasses on)..........I am going to google and see what it says......it says Merit is also another product with this same ingredient............The marathon that I have is only 1% of this ingredient so be careful that if you buy another product with the same Imidaclpoid in it.............that you really read the labels and see what percent Imidaclpoid it has..........yu may have to really reduce the amount you use on the avs...............I use 1/8-1/4 tsp of the granular mix I have on the surface and scratch it in the top of the soil.
Bayer's is a liquid and I don't have the instructions left.........sorry.
PS.......edited to say Lin........you are right.........I have always opened the doors to the front porch early every morning just to get the good circulation but it has been so cold I haven't been good about opening the doors early in the morning. I used to use those bombs in the greenhouses when I worked. Thanks for reminding me........i am sure a nursery friend would order them for me.........and they work!
This message was edited Jan 18, 2008 10:36 PM
Oh, I have a couple of bottles of the Bayer Tree & Shrub ... is that it Gail? I will go out in the shed and get it to read the ingredients. Be right back!
Can you use the Bayer on AV's & Gessies?
I am taking my son outside to see if I can find the Bayer in the shed... Now living in the country at this time of night it is creepy....LOL I am not staying in the shed long I can tell you that....LOLOL
BRB
Susan
Ok, I have the Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control Liquid Concentrate but it doesn't say what the ingredients or % of anything is! It just says it's a systemic and one application protects up to 12 months! Causes moderate eye irritation, Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing! Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling! Sounds like some POWERFUL stuff! Hubby bought it last year for something in the yard!
The other one I found in his stash in the shed is Bayer Advanced Lawn & Garden Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate. For use on lawns, flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetables. Kills outdoor pests on contact, lasts up to 14 days! It doesn't list any % or ingredients either.
Can these be used for house plants even though they are products for trees, shrubs and outdoor garden plants?
I am so wimpy when it comes to using harsh chemicals! Only thing I feel comfortable with is ivory liquid in water or the Insecticidal soap.
Ok back from the shed and alive to type this...LOL I have to laugh or I am going to cry... :-) The only one that has Imidacloprid is Bayer Advanced all in on Rose and flower care and it has 0.15% of that then 0.80% of tebuconazole...
I know I have one more but was not looking for it tonight as it is creepy there...LOL
I will go tomorrow and get the other one and pray....
Susan
Ok so let me make sure I am getting this right... For my av's I can use 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon on Big Av's correct? not my babies? what do I do for them just keep looking and wiping with q-tip ?
Thanks so much for all the help....
Susan
Susan: I know you have pets ... be careful with this stuff around them ... and yourself! You should probably wear gloves and a mask while using that stuff.
... don't mind me ... I'm a big wimp!
My pets always come first Lin... My bird will have to go to another room even after I bring back inside just to be on the safe side... I am going to do this in one room and keep the animals away.... It is hard to tell what is perlite and what is bugs... I have yet to see one of these suckers move... but trust me I will.... and I am going to do my plants today... I will have to go soon to the store as we are going to get more snow/ice today... Nothing yet so I may go to Wally world now and then see if Lowes opens early on Sat...
I will wear gloves and also a mask.... This type of stuff kills my lungs... but you have to do what you have to do...
Hugs,
Susan
Ok I am home... I got the bayers.. I am going to put two tablespoons into 1 gallon of water then water my plants and then I ordered the stuff from the violet place that Gail said she got hers from... I don't really want to loose my plants... but you live and learn... I am also going to use the Q-tip with alcohol... What a mess....
Susan
That is why I keep the needed possible products on hand. Cedar Creek is fast though.....
She already emailed me to tell me it is going in todays mail... Gail I need help...I have read and reread till I can't see....
I am not putting alcohol on all the plants even the AV's I hope this is right... Then I plan on putting the Bayer Tree and shrub on the house plants that were around this other plant... Should I put a tiny bit of the granules into the AV's or just wait until I get the other stuff?
please help as this is so confusing to me...
Susan
Ok called the nursery here they said not to use the shrub stuff and to use safer soap on everything... I put outside my hoya that was beautiful but had thes stupid bugs in the middle of the pot... I hate the smell of this stuff.. Ok just a spraying here waiting for someone to give me a pep talk...
Susan
Bayers' is great for hoyas and any outside plants.........even though you have them inside now.........they are basically outside plants...........I don't spray Bayers.........it is to be mixed with a gallon of water and water the plant. (or it comes in granules also)
You are free to use alcohol with a Q tip for any and all plants.............
I don't understand what you are spraying???????????????
Gail,
I used the alcohol on my passion flowers. I used safer soap that kills bugs on my indoor plants... I still have one more stand to do... If you were me and did not see anything on these plants would you use spray or alcohol on them?
Susan
Susan, I really don't know...............just keep up what you are doing...........You all just think I know a lot and I don't.................good luck
I agree with Gail about mixing up the Bayer Liquid and watering with it ... I wouldn't want to spray that stuff. By watering it through the soil it is saturating the medium and would kill any buggy critters in the roots and soil.
I used the safer soap for today and maybe if my lungs can take it I will do some more tomorrow... I am getting the Marathon from the violet place more then likely on Monday or Tuesday... that is one you just put the grulars into the plant if I am not mistaken... No smell...
Did not mean to stress ya Gail... You seem the guru of here so... sorry.
Susan
I just act like I know what I am talking about, Susan........don't sweat the small stuff. (LOL)
The ladies came from the club and I have two plants with cyclamen mites........very tight centers, so I am going to rest a bit and then start spraying with AVid.........every single plant........bummer!
Oh, Gail, you know I feel your pain!
It's hard to get a definite diagnosis on those dang mites. From a photo I found later, the one bug that I did see on my plant last winter turned out to be a thrip... and the person at the extension service who was looking through the scope with me the time I boxed up dozens of plants and brought them in said she "might have seen a (shed) exoskeleton" but couldn't find it to show me. I guess I should have insisted that we send some material off to the entomologist. But at the time it seemed safest to just throw away everything that was questionable and treat the rest...
Critter,
I feel so lucky as the lady from Corpus said if I used a 1/2 tsp of Avid to a gallon of spray it would kill thrips if I had them also....................it worked...............the plants have been sprayed twice (a week apart) and they look fantastic............one more round in a week and I am through...........
I sure hope the plants I sent stownes are healthy.......need to dmail her and ask.
I now have the Avid and I plan on using it either tomorrow or this weekend.. Can you tell me if it has a very strong odor? I am using it on all the plants but mostly for this one passion flower that has spider mites.. I give washed her everyother day and it is looking good but I want to spray anyway...
I am very proud that I grew these cuttings... Never in my life did I think I could do that...
Hugs,
Susan
Susan, if you treat one plant please treat them all. With a gallon of spray I can treat 8 gro light stands full of plants......I just spray them on the shelf and turn them around. I don't try to take them off the shelf as there are too many. Next I sprayed all the houseplants. Today I sprayed hundreds of big plants on the front porch as i go in and out everyday bringing in bugs. Spray all your new cuttings also. The odor is noticeable and I wear rubber gloves but just be sure that you turn off the gro lights after you spray and don't turn them back on until the next day.
I used 1/2 tsp instead of 1/4 tsp because it won't hurt the plants and 1/2 tsp will kill thrips also should you have them.............wait a week and do it again..............and then do it the last time a week later..........that should take care of everything............
*******sorry I just repeated my post........senior moment
I don't care what you repeated I am just glad for the help... I will spay all of them... I may have to move into one room with the plants... I can't spray with the bird or I could move the bird into a diffrent room.. Either way it is going to get done... I can't thank you enought for that web site.. They are very nice people... I feel better knowing I have the things on had if I get bugs ... :-)
Hugs,
Susan