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Crassula-safe systemic insecticide

23 years ago

I know that Crassulas are sensitive to some systemic insecticides and fungicides, such as Malathion, so does anyone know of any products sold here in Australia that are Crassula friendly?

I'm wanting to nuke these mealy bugs for good, as the alcohol spraying barely seems to control them, and I also would like some good systemic on hand for any other infestation emergencies anyway.

Thanks for any advice,

Lis :)

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Comments (7)

alcors2
23 years ago
Hi Lis,

Systemics like Rogor, which work very well, are no good on the leaves, as it will kill Crassulas. But if you water the the root system only, with Rogor, then it will work ad also end up in the leaves without harming the external tissue.

One systemic that is safe on the leaves of Crassulas, is Confidor. It works pretty good too.

Whenever I repot, I now put a dose of David Grays Systemic Insecticide into the soil mix. This is a granula type and gives about 3 months protection to get the plants going after the big shock of replanting.

PK
ashmeri
23 years ago
These darn little things really test one's enthusiasm for succulents don't they, I seem to be having a never ending war with them especially in my stapeliad family.
The scale insects are causing problems too, and the metho seems to make them hungrier, what is the best for them and which other plants are sensitive to rogor. ?
Marion.

p.s. have fun at Mt. Cootha, We can't get there this year.
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alcors2
23 years ago
Rogor is still good, as it appears that plants that don't like it only don't like it on their leaves.

I find for my stapeliads, that I make up a mix of metho at 50% metho 50% water and sprqay soak the plant. Next week do the same. Week after do the same. maybe again a week later. This seems to kill the scale.

Better is to use straight metho and a stiff brush and paint the little blighters for a few weeks in a row. That a a good dipping of whole plant and pot in Rogor, seems to do the trick. But you MUST always keep an eye out for the furry white devils and as soon as seem, brush with metho.
alcors2
23 years ago
Sorry for spelling, as birthday today, and mum cooked big roast diner and we had a few (yots) bottles of wine. :o)

Happy 43 to me :o)

PK

PS. Came home at 11:30pm and found friend had dropped off a very nice present for me - a big pot of Coral Tree - Crassula something or other - will lok good in garden bed come spring :o)

PPS. See veryone at the Cactus/Succulent/Bromeliad show at Mount Cootha this weekend - :o) :o) :o) :o)
ashmeri
23 years ago
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAUL, WOW, ONLY 43, you have lots more to go to catch up to me.

Thanks for the information on the bugs from HELL.
Have a really great time at the cactus show, we had a great time there last year and would have loved to have gone again.
Marion
littlelisie
Original Author
23 years ago
Thanks for all the advice you two, I have Confidor but didn't realise it was ok to use on Jade. Do you apply it to the foliage, or as a drench to the soil, or both? I'd like something systemic I can water in to the plant. So Rogor is definitely ok to use onto the soil in the watering of Crassulaceae, so long as it physically doesn't touch the foliage at all??

I've sprayed Metho on then till I'm half drunk from breathing it all in, and although it's nice to see the mealies being nuked there on the spot the next morning they're right back out there again! Drives me nuts.

Anyway Paul, HAPPY BIRTHDAY for yesterday, will see you at the show this weekend, can't wait to get there!

Cheers, Lis :)
alcors2
23 years ago
Thanks peoples.

Yep Rogor on the roots only for Crassulas and Confidor on the foliage and roots.

PK

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