It depends if you want to go the organic route or not. Moses sprays just the new growth with Bayer Insect 3 in 1 is a systemic if applied as a soil drench which amkes any part of the plant toxic but spraying just the new growth and tiny buds is less toxic. If the bud is larger than a green pea it should not be susceptible to midge at that point. Others use Spinosad on just the new growth and buds. Both are very toxic to bees though so caution is necessary. Moses sprays at dusk when the bees are not active. I have rinsed the soil then potted the roses up in purchased potting soil then wrapped the pot with a plastic shopping bag tied around the cane base to try to keep any midge from dropping into the potted soil. These will be going in the ground pot and all over the winter here in MA. and planted next spring. I'll rinse the soil from the roots again and keep an eye on new growth for signs of midge. It seems it takes a while to eradicate this scourge from the garden. I've also used the yellow cups, in my case pinwheels, sprayed with vegetable oil to catch the midge as they fly around. Patty from IL has had very good luck with the cup method as has Samuel from NY. I am catching insects just not quite sure if they're midge or something else. It seems it's a long drawn out process to rid your garden of midge but taking precautions should help a lot. Jim and Samuel are also trying beneficial nematodes to see if this will help. Here's a link to that discussion. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4834388/jim-in-pa-and-samuel-in-adirondacks-which-nematodes?n=57 and here's Moses routine- http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4331751/rose-midgean-approach-that-works-for-me?n=18 Hope this helps. Sharon

Hey Pinheads, This plant started from cutting-off the top of a Dole pineapple from the grocery store. I let the fleshy end crust-over by letting it dry for a couple of days...then potted it and kept the soil moist at all times. When shopping for a pineapple with the intention of planting the crown, I choose one with good leaves on the crown, that do not pull out. This plant is now 2 yrs old and blossomed on it's own. It will produce 1 or 2 pineapples, and also grow pups like an aloe plant does. Good luck with your fragile egos and grow up....BTW have a nice day! ~ SCalDude

Organic fertilizers are fine in the summer. The problem with synthetic fertilizers in the summer is they tend to force feed the plants whether they want the fertilizer or not. Under a stressful heat and drought condition, adding the forced feeding can kill the plants. Organic fertilizers do not force feed the plant. Ticks are really best controlled with chickens and ducks. If that is not an option, then the organic alternative is beneficial nematodes. These critters bring disease and pestilence to the insects. The best time to use them is at the first real rainstorm of the year. That may be in January but if your soil freezes, then no, don't bother. The second best time is during the next rainstorm. Beneficial nematodes need a very moist soil to move around. The problem with your insects is they no longer are really in the soil. They have crawled up the plants waiting for you and your pets to walk by. The problem with beneficial nematodes is only work in the soil. Still with those insects, I would try the BN. They only keep for 2 weeks in your fridge so you have to use them whenever you get them. If you are not currently having a rainstorm when you get them, I would water an inch per day for three days in a row. Apply the nematodes on the second day.

Ilima--Nature and beauty will always win in the long run. I'll be rooting for you and your garden. How can people muck up such a bit of paradise as Maui with such a thing as the plastic house?