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Something new for scale.

9 years ago

At least new for me. At a meeting 3 weeks ago one of the growers told us that his favorite defense against scale is Miracle Gro Leaf Shine. He claims it works better for him than anything else and he buys it by the case because it is too expensive otherwise. I got one from HD, $6 and change for 8oz.

Some one gave ma a large Bulbophyllum with about 30 pbulbs and leaves, covered with scale. He just lost the will to fight them. I sprayed them with this and here we are 2 weeks later and the plant is scale free. I'm impressed. I have never had a faster response.

On amazon one can buy it for $3.99 per 8oz bottle and shipping is free if the total exceeds $35. 9 bottles will do it and I know that some of the members of my society will want to try it. It's something worth considering if these nasty little buggers are bothering you.

Nick

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Comments (9)

James _J
9 years ago
Interesting, I guess there is some sort of oil or wax that makes the leaf glossy. Do they list ingredients on the label?

I'm always looking for new ways to fight bugs, since I grow in my house half of the year I avoid pesticides. I have a cinnamon tree and noticed that it never seems to get mealies,scale or mite problems. So a few days ago I picked up some cinnamon oil to make a spray for indoors. At least it will smell nice.
philpet
9 years ago
Thanks so much NickÃ°ÂÂÂ. Just this morning I was looking over a few catt I bought last year which I don't really have much luck with, to my pleasant suprise I noticed a few new roots, but most unplasant a few scales too. Now I have been having problems with them for a while. Not a big one but I really want to get rid of them.do you spray it on then wipe it off or what? I would like to try it but needs exact instructions thanks for shearing Velleta
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orchidnick
Original Author
9 years ago
There are no instructions for scale treatment. For siny leaves spray and wipe. I left it on and it seemed to do no harm to the leaves.A week later many of the scale still appeared to be there but they were empty shells only that fluffed off. It seems to kill adults which is something I never was able to do before. I usually go after the emerging brood with multiple applications of whatever.

It needs to be explored and I will talk to the source again this coming Saturday and find out exactly how he does it.

Nick
xmpraedicta
9 years ago
Interesting - thanks for sharing. Any concern re: this product getting on roots if sprayed on mounted plants?
orchidnick
Original Author
9 years ago
No idea. I only used it on this one huge Bulbo and it used up 2/3 of the 8oz bottle.

Nick
badanobada
9 years ago
hey thats interesting...I know i have a bottle of the stuff laying around... and I have a cym somewhere that's infested... ok just found it. I actually just sprayed the thing with neem... and well ya know, neem only works if you spray repeated for weeks... or so... attached info on it, it think, anyone who can sift through it feel free to report anything suspicious...

Here is a link that might be useful: info on miracle gro leaf shine toxicity
orchidnick
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm totally new to it also and hope people will give ot a try and report back. Neem oil works great on the emerging nymphs but the adult scale just laugh at it. As Bada says, repeated use over a long time will do it. Hopefully this attacks the adults.

Nick
orchidnick
Original Author
9 years ago
I talked to someone who has an agricultural insecticide/chemical lic and is also into orchids. He knew that this stuff works and he had a warning. Avoid using it on hot days. If you coat a plant's leaves with it and it gets super hot, you may experience catastrophic leaf drop.

Nick
highjack
9 years ago
If you read the link provided above, the ingredient is white mineral oil.

Don't they recommend other oil pesticides not be used on sunny days?

Brooke

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