anna
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Post by anna on Mar 9, 2018 15:34:48 GMT -5
This morning i discovered what i think are aphids all over some of my American pitcher plants. I have seen a lot of conflicting information about pest control online. Does anyone have recommendations for to kill the little suckers without harming my plant?
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Post by jerrytheplater on Mar 9, 2018 16:32:55 GMT -5
Try spraying off with water. Do you know what Mealy Bugs look like? Aphids don't have the chalky substance on them. Mealy bugs do.
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anna
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Post by anna on Mar 9, 2018 21:31:47 GMT -5
Hmm, i don't think i saw any chalkiness. Is there a different way i should treat mealy bugs as opposed to aphids?
I used water to get off as many as i could see, then quarantined my plant. I will keep checking and hopefully keep them under control.
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Post by jerrytheplater on Mar 10, 2018 14:00:16 GMT -5
Mealy Bugs don't come off as easily. The chalkiness repels water. If you can get some Lady Bird Beetles (Lady Bugs), both the adults and larva eat aphids and mealy bugs. But just now I read in the below book that he tried them in his greenhouse and saw 10,000 get eaten in two days. His plants appreciated the feeding!!! They won't do well. Forget my advice.
Do you have a copy of Peter D'Amato's book, The Savage Garden? It is a great resource I heartily recommend it. Here is what he says regarding chemical control:
Mealy bugs will require a systemic insecticide-one that the plant takes up through the roots and circulates in the plant. The insect gets killed as it feeds on the plant. Aphids are easier and most common on CP. The following are those chemicals he has found that won't harm CP. Some will. Don't get oil based formulations, only get wettable powders. Don't get spray cans as the propellants can kill the plants. Don't get the insecticidal soaps as they are alkaline and can kill your plants.
Diazinon Wettable Powder Flea Collars in close proximity to the plants, but not in the water or touching the plant. Best in terrariums. Malathion Wettable Powder Orthene, best to use as it is a systemic type. Works for months. Don't eat the plant or parts-same for pets. (Not that I think you are going to eat your plants) Sevin Wettable Powder. Watch this as it kills honey bees. I'm an ex beekeeper and know it is bad for bees.
Get Peter's book. Really helpful.
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anna
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Post by anna on Mar 17, 2018 1:01:04 GMT -5
I do have Peter's book! I noticed the aphids while i was house sitting for my parents and didn't have the book available. I cleaned off as many as i could with water and a toothbrush. So far it seems good, although i will bug my parents about keeping a close eye on it.
I wrote to the man i got the plants from at Carnivorous Plant Nursery who suggested physical removal or, in extreme situations, Bayer Advanced Rose and Garden Spray.
Something i found online suggested planting onions and garlic around your garden, as aphids are adverse to both. I wonder if leaving garlic stalks around my plants would help ward off aphids? Hopefully all my plants stay pest-free but perhaps i will consider trying this if i have more issues.
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Post by jerrytheplater on Mar 17, 2018 21:29:54 GMT -5
Garlic is good to eat. Last year's harvest came from the 850 cloves I planted. Still eating from them. I can't say I've seen any aphids around, but I would not say its due to the garlic.
I did make up a garlic-hot pepper spray over 50 years ago to spray on a Big Max pumpkin I was growing to keep away Squash Vine Borers. I didn't get any Borers, but again, was it the garlic? Can't say.
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Post by Kevin on Mar 19, 2018 21:25:48 GMT -5
I want to second Jerry's suggestion of orthene. I know people don't really like to use chemical pesticides, but aphids are super annoying and I've found that orthene works very well. You can get it at Amazon in a giant can that will last you forever. People have recommended it for even sensitive CPs like pinguicula, and I've found that it doesn't hurt them. It certainly does not bother VFTs and sarracenia.
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anna
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Post by anna on Mar 25, 2018 17:48:18 GMT -5
So far, so good. I had been babysitting my parents' plants so i haven't seen them since then, but I have no further reports of aphid sightings. If they come back stubbornly i will suggest Orthene.
I do have another question, also about my parents' plants. My mom said she found an ant nest in her purple pitcher plant. It was inside one of the pitchers. She said the plant seemed fine, but she removed the nest. Will ants hurt purple pitchers? The only info i have seen so far is that ants can spread mealybugs, so i told her to watch out for those.
Luckily all my plants are pest-free. I hope it stays that way!
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Post by Kevin on Apr 1, 2018 21:39:55 GMT -5
Ants have never hurt my plants - they are associated with aphids, but I'm not sure about mealybugs. Good luck with everything!
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