I havent really looked too much into HD succulents but I plan to head that way tomorrow, will see if the same label is present.

Well that's weird...they definitely are afflicted with bugs..mites and flies..At least the ones I looked over in MA are.

Wait I'm thinking of Lowes..but I'm pretty sure they both use altman's.

Speaking of succulents with bugs..I really wonder how IKEA keeps theirs so pest-free..and which wholesale supplier they use..

my hd last year had a neo nicotinoid area separate from the others. this year they are mixed. don't like the neos reported effect on pollinators.

i've been completely organic for more than 30 years so things like that are discouraging.

I never knew HD carried Altman Plants, I've never seen them at any HD I've been to. And I've never seen that warning on any Altman succulents I've got from Lowes/Walmart.

I wonder if it's because I live in the western US, maybe your plants come from somewhere closer?

Davez: I was wondering about that because I use Bayer tree & shrub and it's considered a neonicotinoid.

How do you control mealy bugs on your plants? Mealy bugs and spider mites are my biggest enemies in the sunroom in early spring.

I usually only use BT&S once a year, but then I became concerned about the honey bees that may visit the flowers months later. I only read about the potential danger to them a few weeks ago when I was looking for an alternate drench for my plants.

Since I grow garden plants that need pollinators I don't want to knowingly do anything to hurt them.

And I probably bought the labeled plants in one of the Reno HDs.

I did. Its for all those who don't want plants treated with that. I've used it on indoor plants mostly. It worked pretty well on Fuchsia mites outdoors. "Sultan" is not used by any nectar pollen gatherers.

I'm surprised that outdoor succulents would need it. For me,they are trouble free.

I've seen it here in Virginia on plants from Lowes.

Stanofh,

My hardy cactus don't seem to be afflicted by insects other than stink bugs, but it gets below zero at night for extended periods here so everything that's not planted outside has to come in. Not much insect activity when it's cold, but March is when the insects become active. The plants are still semi-dormant at that point so they have to be spot treated for insect attacks.

And those darn spider mites can do a lot of damage before I notice. They really seem to like Lobivias so any hybrid with L. heritage is more susceptible.

When I think about it, my logic is flawed because I usually don't put the systemic on them until I put them back outside in April. The conundrum is: Is the systemic controlling the insects outside or are the plants less vulnerable there?

I guess I'll find out next year......

noto

I think there are many predators outdoors, so plants may be better protected naturally.

Indoors seems to be more of the problem: no predators, less air circulation, maybe less temperature and so on. I could be wrong - but if I get any insects (usually scale on plants like ficus) or aphids, there is more of them indoors than outside.

Rina

Thank you Minty--I'll look into that. I know just spraying with water (Harvey from Mexican Hat Nursery suggested Windex) may deter mites, but I don't always have time to be diligent.

noto

I would imagine you have tried 'home-made remedies' like rubbing alcohol+water spray? Did it not work? - I know for some pests it may not be enough. I think there is another spray recommended, using neem oil + alcohol - will try to find a post...
Rina

Rina,

I have an alcohol "kit" with various sized brushes for the mealy bugs. I also use an old water pick to blast them off--that's fun! (I'm so easily amused) But I have a lot of plants and occasionally things get out of whack :-) Especially when I have to work 12 hour days at the same time the plants are inside.

Thanks for your help!

I find water mixed with rubbing alcohol less damaging on young leaves than water with dish detergent...but this was for a chili plant, not succulents. Soap leaves residue while alcohol just dissipates. I find it hard making sure the spray doesn't leak into the soil, I just manage with a plastic bag. I also put the pot in the bathtub when I'm spraying so I don't knock any mealies onto any neighboring plants.

noto-12 hr days, lord have mercy:-)

i pretty much just use alcohol-both spray and q-tip. irish mint was recently hit by mealies and too big and too complex to treat, so cut a couple of rosettes, submerged them in alcohol and water and put them to root. threw the mother plant away-oh well, it was kind of big and boring.

lady bugs are badly affected by the neos, they eat the poisoned aphids and die almost immediately.

Dave--only when the legislature is in--thank goodness they only meet every 2 years.

I didn't think about lady bugs, but I don't think I've ever seen them around my plants--dead or alive. But this is good to know.