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s.t.e.m and insect worry

16 years ago

HI everyone. I am new at this but I will give it a shot. I was wondering if anyone knew where to get the product called S.T.E.M that I have been reading about. Thankyou.

And, meyermike, I hear your worries. I too panic of insects everyday I bring my plants in for the winter. I too was wondering how other fellow citrus enthusiastics cope with this problem. I was wondering if we are the only ones more concerned about insects on our trees, more so than watering and soil needs. I seem to do everything right, but I am so afraid to have more than one plant at a time. Seems like any insect that is bad for my tree is going to find it.LOL. How do all our fellow citrus lovers cope with the possibility of pest problems with so many plants at the same time. I would really love to order more than one tree. I winter mine indoors for the winter since I live near New Hampshire, and I am afraid to.

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Comments (6)

isaac2009
16 years ago
I use Safer Soap in the concentrate and spray it on, may have to do it a few times, not a big deal can't go wrong.

As far as having more tree's take your time read, and post a nice tree can cost $50-$70. Work with the one you have if it works out for you than move to another.

I seen stem over at citrusnorth.com. Haven't been there in a while.

I feel there may be other an better way's of providing supplements to citrus other than stem. Stem is hard to find in small amounts. Nomally it's sold in #50 bags.
isaac2009
16 years ago
I went over to citrusnorth.com,. the posting for buying stem has been updated on that site, 1# is $4.00.
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sissysimone
Original Author
16 years ago
tahnks isaac for ur input I will look into it. I sort of wish that other members were more interested in talkinh about insect fear and what they do to overcome it. Thanks again
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
The more you learn about the pests that can cause problems for your plants, the less 'worried' you will become. Please understand that your best weapons against these pests have little to do with creepy crawlies, but everything to do with plant health, vigor, and balance.

Providing good growing conditions for your plants is essential, and that means a fast-draining (very porous) potting medium, ideal sunlight conditions, a balanced and conservative fertilizer program, proper watering, etc.

If you are truly apprehensive about pests, then perhaps you should consider doing what I do: keep your plants inside all year 'round. I've not had any kind of critter problem in many years. Any newcomer to the collection is treated to an isolation period, sprays with rubbing alcohol and water, and lots of scrutiny until I allow it to share shelf space with my older plants.
isaac2009
16 years ago
Sis. Not a problem. Thank You for you Posting.
sissysimone
Original Author
16 years ago
Hey...Thanks rhizo! I would love to never have to put my citrus outdoors. But once the sun disappears higher in the sky in the summer and spring through my south facing windows,I have permanant shade, then I would have to depend on grow lites for hours to replace the hours of sunlight requirements, and then my energy bill would be....Well we know!!!!lol No sun in my windows all those warm months!
Guess there is pros and cons to letting plants grow out in their natural enviroment..:-)in the embrace of warm sunshine for hours!
I should live in a southern warm state where wintering plants indoors in non existant!!...Lol
Thanks rhizzo

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