Well.....I would dip the bulbs in a solution of 1 part bleach and 10 parts warm water...before planting them.

I do this with glad bulbs for thrips and I read on a begonia site to dip the begonia bulbs in this solution as well....it said for begonias it was to stop mildew.

Hope you can find a solution to the problem.
Sierra

Hi gardencolors

You will need something which you can apply on the growing crop - perhaps repeatedly as these little insects tend to reappear.

Thrips might hide deeply between the leaf bases and accession is uncomplete with topic agents.

If you are growing outdoors or in a glasshouse I recommend the systemic phosphorous insecticides/acaricides Oxydemeton-methyl (In Metasystox from BAYER) or Dimethoate (in various products (Rogor, Roxion, Perfecthion etc.; 400 g/L)
Needless to say - but important although: You have first to find out whether these efficient plant protection agents are (still) legal in your region.

Hans-Werner

Hello Hans-Werner
First of all I want to thank you for all your great information if in this tread or all the others where you share you knowledge and as far as that goes all of you who share your knowledge . But now back to Hans-Werne what is a systemic that I can use here in Germany .
Thanks again
Kenny

In Germany that is easy:
Dimethoate (see above) is (still) legal for ornamentals.
The blue 400 g/L emulsion concentrate is diluted to 1 mL/L and sprayed onto the leaves and particularly into the heart of the plant.

Hans-Werner

Hi gardencolors,
I use Ortho brand Orthenex. It is a combo systemic pestacide,fungicide and mitecide. It is a powerful chemical mix and not to be used without caution and -never- inside. I mix 2 Tbs per gallon of water and apply with a mister. Dont apply in direct sunlight or under high heat conditions. Dont apply to flower buds or opened flowers,it will burn them. Now,if I havn't scared you enough,in zone 11 thrips are most likely going to be an ongoing problem.This will require repeated treatments. I think there are better solutions. I will link below to a possibly more effective solution,mites that prey on thrips.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thrip predators

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Hello Hans-Werner
I need your help finding Dimethoate hier in Germany , I searched over the weekend bud did not have any luck finding it , do you have a name or address of a supplier where I can oder it Thanks or does it go by another name

Thanks for your help

Kenny
P.S.
I had read in another thread that you throw you culls away you can send them my way :-) I will give them a good home smile :-)))

Please visit your local garden discounter, Do-it-youself-discounter with garden department or specialized seeds/plants store. Roxion for example is a very common preparation.

Hans-Werner

When I mist or spray my bulbs with intesticide/miticide/fungicide, is it okay if the mixt enters the bulb's neck and oozes into the bulb?

The question is put incorrectly! Don't mind! The spraying solution SHOULD be sprayed deep between the leaf bases, too, that is into the core of the bulb, so the active ingredients can work from there, where critters and diseases might hide.
Yes, Thrips do hide deep between the leaves too. Not to speak of them tarsonemed mites which do hide still deeper!

Great. This is how I spray my bulbs. The question was kind of indirect... I did not want to say right away that I spray the bulb so the liquid could drip down to the bulb and enter its scales... I wanted to make sure first that I am not encouraging incorrect behavior... Good then. Let's all save our bulbs and use careful planned prevention to keept he crop clean.

I am glad to find out that having some insecticide or miticide drip down between the leaf bases and outer scales is ok... I was afraid of really burning or killing tender new leaf growth this way... but I suppose if a product is not used on the entire plant, sans flowers and buds, it doesn't do that much good!