Crassula-safe systemic insecticide

20 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
20 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
20 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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It could also be a pest of some sort. I think mealy bugs are known to cause distortion of the leaves. If I were you, I would take it out of the pot and examine the roots and soil to be sure everythings ok. Just to be on the safe side, I would wash off soil and put new soil in it. Also, you can wash off the plant with some dish soap and water. (I put in a spray bottle and sprayed it down) Another way is to use alcohol with a q tip and wipe any mealies you may see off. If you don't see any pests, I would still change soil and spray down with dish soap just to be on the safe side. Make sure to use fast draining soil (i use cactus soil with perlite about 1/3 of it is perlite, maybe a little more) I'm no expert, this is just what I would do if it were my plant. Good luck I hope your plant gets better.
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Most of it doesn't look like bugs, perhaps photos 4 & 6 - if you see fine webbing, it could be mealy bugs. Rest of damage could be mechanical - other plant rubbing against, or pot, or even some critter damage while outdoors. Even 'funky leaf growth' could be caused by something similar. And it is difficult to have a plant without any blemish whatsoever. Here are few snapshots, as you can see, there are some spots here and there. Variegated jade (Tricolor) is known for having brown spots. Mealy bugs are tiny and hard to see, but fine white web gives them away. They tend to 'hide' in tighter spaces, so if spraying, make sure spray gets everywhere. If nothing came off while using q-tip moistened with alcohol or scraping, I don't believe there are bugs. Diseases like rot or fungus will look different. Did you wash off all soil from the roots while re-potting? That is the best thing to do. If there is bug infestation(especially mealy bugs), affected plant should be isolated and treated. If you think few plants may have it, it is best to treat them all. I never used Bayer, just read about using it. In over 3yrs of growing succulents, I have used only rubbing alcohol spray or swab. Brad (paracelsus) gave you good advice above about the dosage. Rina edit to add: I copied what Crenda wrote on another post: I do not spray the Bayer on my plants. They are all outside all year and in full sun. I am afraid it would burn or damage the leaves, especially those planted in the ground. Maybe someone else has a different experience to share, but I cannot advise you on that. I use the Bayer 3-in-1 or the Bayer Tree and Shrub as a soil drench. I water the plants lightly with the solution so the roots can take up the insecticide. This will protect my plants from any pests that bite them. This treatment can be done every 3-6 months.
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alcors2
20 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
20 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
20 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
20 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
20 years ago
Thanks peoples.

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

PK

Crassula-safe systemic insecticide

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Crassula-safe systemic insecticide

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