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Bugs on my Buds!!

17 years ago

I just got this catt at the HOTOS show, it has 5 buds about an inch long and I just noticed what look to be spider mites crawling on them. Granted I've never seen a spider mite, but it was a teeny tiny white/tan speck which was clearly visible on the green buds; it looked like a piece of dust crawling. I've got a ready mixed neem spray, but I'm worried it will ruin my buds. It isn't near the other plants. Any suggestions on what to do to get rid of them that won't ruin the flowers if possible? Thanks.

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Comments (6)

mehitabel
17 years ago
I've taken scale off buds and flowers by putting a drop of undiluted ivory dishwashing liquid on it, then wiping either with fingers or with a Q tip, depending on what seemed right. They slide right off.

Once they're clean of what you can see, you can spray buds safely with Safer's Insecticidal Soap to get any invisibles or eggs. I've used it several times, and it doesn't harm buds.

Or just use the Safer's if you prefer. Reinspect in a few days and repeat if necessary.
bob123how
Original Author
17 years ago
Will safers 3 in 1 garden spray with "potassium salts of fatty acids" and "sulphur" as the active ingredients work? I sprayed it on one of my succulents a while ago, and it gave it the ebola virus, I haven't used it since.
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mehitabel
17 years ago
Bob, I think you are not supposed to use "sulphur" on orchids, tho I'm not sure. I wouldn't do it.

The Safer's I'm using is called "Insect Killing Soap" and the active incredient is "potassium salts of fatty acids" at 49% by weight.

It's soapy-slippery and the buggies wash right off.
sdahl
17 years ago
I like Safer's for use on spider mites. But if they're thrips, bite the bullet and spend the bucks on some Conserve (you'll probably have to do an internet search to find it). One application totally wipes them out. Just be sure to drench the entire plant thoroughly, even letting it drip into the media. Good stuff, Maynard!

Sharon
orchid126
17 years ago
Sulphur is definitely used on plants and is safe, but I'm not sure about buds.
bob123how
Original Author
17 years ago
I washed the buds with soap and the sprayed an inordinate amount of neem on it. I haven't seen anything on the plant since, and the buds look fine. I flipped out when I saw three, so the infestation wasn't that big.

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