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How can I spray insecticide or oils without bud drop

meyermike_1micha

16 years ago

Hi,

I have noticed that the only time I seem to get pest problems with my trees is when they are pushing new tender leaf growth or buds. IN fact that is what signals to me a problem, because it never fails that when I get new leaf growth, they start to curl or deform, I look underneath them, and presto, mites again!. I never see them attacking my old growth. But as soon as I start getting tender leafs, they are on the hunt to eat.

In order to rid of these DEMONS, that means I have to treat my plants and when I do, I loose all my buds and drop new leaves!!:-(). Is this a no win situation or can something be done to prevent harm to the new growth and buds , while at the same time destroy these buggers?

Thanks to anyone with good ideas!

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Comments (5)

littlem_2007
16 years ago
Hello, Mike, I have used neem oil and murphy's oil solutions without any problems with leaf drop or bud drop. I use about 1/2 teaspoon oil, 3 or 4 drops of dish soap and 1 liter of warm water, shake it up and spray.
sue
angie83
16 years ago
I have great luck with getting rid of them just with dawn soap and spraying them 2 times a week then jet spray them with water it works great also ladybugs are great you can buy them and they keep mites down they so cute to.
Angie
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birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Hey Mike..I think you're in MI, right??
Ah, we live in cold, 'dry' areas, the worse temps for citrus, climates.
I grow all types of plants, most like humidity..sooo, every fall I lug up the humidifer, install a new filter, and let it run 24/7...Dry air, IMO, is one reason mites find our plants..It's worse when soils aren't well-draining, especially if one overwaters..oh boy, that causes all types of problems..bugs, rot.
I also find misting helps.. I admit, it's not going to create a greenhouse atmosphere, but by misting, it helps clean leaves, dust clogs pores, and works somewhat with humidity, especially if the house is semi-humid to begin with.
I don't like using insecticides, so I mix my own formula.. 2-4 drops of dish soap, and water, spray..if I suspect mites I also add: citrus rind and garlic..Some ppl use mouthwash..Jerry Baker recommends Listerine. I'd say 1/4-1/2 teas per 16-20oz mister of water would be sufficient.

For scale, which I had a major problem with a few years back when I ordered an Olive tree, scale and all, lol, I used Fish Emulsion..Oh Mike, it worked great..One application rid them all, but I did it twice to be on the safe side.
Thank goodness no mealy, cause I haven't concocted a solution to kill those monsters.
If ever you're bored, lol, or see/suspect mites, try the dishsoap, garlic and citrus rind..You can substitute lemon/lime juice for the rind..just a little..1/4 teas should be fine..
A ceiling fan set on low in winter also helps w/air circulation..mites dislike fresh air. So, that's also something else to ponder..Good luck...soon we'll be able to take plants outside..battle lines will be drawn..Mites prefer dry air to fresh..We win..lol..Toni
PS..spraying this brew won't harm citrus flowers..
meyermike_1micha
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi to everyone!!!!

Thanks ,I can not believe that I have friends on this site who are so helpful, Thankyou!!!
I will try all ur ideas. Maybe I can kill these buggers so that I will not loose buds or new growth. I will let you know how it works.
And Toni, believe it or not, I have done everything you said to do about humidity and fans, and air and they still love my room..Crazy ha. The reading on my hydrometer never reads below 50 -60 and most times is over 60. I think we are talking about new breed of mites here. Maybe they are adapting to the enviroment we always thought they hate!!lol....:-(
I have so much humidity in that room,my cothes in my closet always feel damp! lol
When I spray all my plants before I leave to work, my reading goes all the way up to 75.
Like you said, I can't wait till I can throw them outside. Just got to fight this battle a little longer!
Take care to you all, and again thnaks for your ideas>>
Mike

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