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Post by Flytrap on Apr 2, 2007 11:05:21 GMT -5
I can't remember which other thread had a discussion on aphids... so I thought I'd just park this discussion here. I just spent the past weekend trimming away dead leaves and noticed that my plants have been attacked by: 1. slugs 2. aphids 3. scale 4. sowbugs I tried to remove as many of the aphids by hand, but realized that it was a futile attempt, with them blending into the colour of the leaves, and cleverly falling off and onto the soil the moment I placed my hands near it. Besides, my old eyes have a hard time figuring out if the aphids are actually aphids or just dew droplets The scale is another problem. I've noticed that the pest has spread from a plant I got as a cutting last year and now they're all over my neps that exude the most nectar - N mirabilis, N xcurtisii, N singalana, N xmerilliata. Worst are the tell tale bites from the slugs. In the old days, I'd take a stream of water to blast off these pest, and dunk the entire plant (eg. VFT pot) and drown the aphids, but there's just too much work to do this. So I've applied the terrible poison, diazinon surgically as a focused spray to destroy these pests. I had to do this as a last resort. But I hope I applied low concentration levels of it as to not harm some of the small animals that may be living in my greenhouse. I'd like to try lady bugs in my greenhouse. Anyone know where I can purchase these aphid eaters in Canada? Thanks.
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Post by mabudon on Apr 2, 2007 11:12:47 GMT -5
That's a good question, David- we used to have a place that sold them and mantis egg-cases and stuff, but it closed down- there's GOT to be a mail-order source tho.. BUT if I recall correctly, I swear someone told me they tried them once on CPs in a greenhouse and the CPs pretty much ate them ALL, so I don't know how effective they might be- if true, you'd just have to hope that the Ladybugs ate all the aphids BEFORE they went on to their doom
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Post by Flytrap on Apr 2, 2007 11:20:40 GMT -5
Yes, I tried looking on the net for a Canadian source... but no luck yet. I was also wondering if ladybugs also eat scale... "I swear someone told me they tried them once on CPs in a greenhouse and the CPs pretty much ate them ALL" ... I guess that would equate to having your cake and eating it too ;D
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Post by Rick Hillier on Apr 2, 2007 11:48:25 GMT -5
Are the sowbugs causing damage or is it just their presence that is annoying? From what I know about them, they tend to focus their eating habits on decaying organic matter and may occasionally nip a seedling, but not that often.
>>> Rick <<<
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Post by Flytrap on Apr 2, 2007 11:55:10 GMT -5
I don't think the sowbugs are causing any real damage. Actually they remind me of trilobites... it's just that well they become such easy prey to pitcher plants (eg sarracenia) that they fill up with dead carcasses of sowbugs, and uh, it reeks like hell. There's nothing like a whiff of rotting sowbug flesh.
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Post by jay on Apr 2, 2007 15:59:12 GMT -5
N.I.C in stevensvilles sells natural predators , check out there site , i don't have the adress but can look for if you interested , They do sell parasitic wasps that prey on aphid . scale i don't know about ?
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Post by jay on Apr 2, 2007 16:00:09 GMT -5
ps .sow bugs will do minor damage to roots and tender seedlings
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Post by lloyd on Apr 2, 2007 18:25:05 GMT -5
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Post by Flytrap on Apr 2, 2007 20:46:40 GMT -5
That's great! Thanks Lloyd. mmmmm ... sowbug stew mmmmmmmm
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Post by sdeering on Apr 2, 2007 21:46:53 GMT -5
The company I ordered the rootshield has benificial bugs. If you need I can look it up.
Just found it koppert I think Lloyd foun that one for me
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Post by jay on Apr 3, 2007 17:15:49 GMT -5
I was talking to the orchid grower at work today and he recommended Methal hydrate (alcohol) for scale , Its safe just don't smoke around it. Clears up the bugs and does not do any damage to the plants ..
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Post by Flytrap on Apr 3, 2007 17:55:34 GMT -5
Thanks Jay ... where can one acquire some Methal hydrate?
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Post by tom on Apr 3, 2007 18:41:31 GMT -5
Since its an alcohol, could it be methyl hydrate?
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Post by jay on Apr 3, 2007 18:47:27 GMT -5
yes i have bad spelling , As everyone can tell
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Post by lloyd on Apr 3, 2007 21:13:31 GMT -5
That stuff is poisonous, keep it in a safe place with good ventilation. I would use the 99% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) from Shoppers for a couple dollars. If you live in Quebec you can buy 95% ethanol from the liquor store but it's more expensive but it goes a long way and is less toxic.
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