skip to main content

African Violets

New buds while in quarantine

6 years ago

Good evening all. I quarantined an AV a couple of weeks ago and removed all the flowers and buds. Since then new buds have emerged. How long would you keep removing new buds on a quarantined plant?

Featured Answer

irina_co

6 years ago

Disbudding saves so much energy, plants open new buds quite soon.

We are talking about thrips, correct?

One time is enough. If thrips are established - they are all over the plant - at one stage the larvae even goes to the soil. They feed on baby leaves as well. The disbudding helps if the plants were clean - and were temporarily exposed to the infested area - so the adult thrips could land on the flowers. But to be on a safe side - you need to spray the plant with something - probably Safer soap will work if done 3 times week apart.

After that - you need the plant to bloom for control. If thrips are not there - you wouldn't find them, If they are present - they will be attracted to the blossoms.

The idea that if you disbud long enough - the thrips will starve... is a wishful thinking. They will find something to chew on.

Irina, the pessiimist.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

User
6 years ago
Most life cycles of pests don't last very long. If you wanna be safe, I guess 6-8 weeks for bud removal is fine. I've never had flowers come back that fast until recent plants!
Related Discussions
Okay to head a new tree while or after blooming?
Q
Comments (10)
Do you have lower scaffold branches already or buds on the lower part pushing green? ... I am doing Dave Wilson's Backyard Orchard culture thingy as well where you try to get low scaffolds to form by heading tree really low... ScottSmith on this forum told me peach trees that are very thick will have a hard time trying to push out new scaffolds (http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fruit/msg0400033023178.html#GWCPostBody3). That was very true for me, out of 4 peaches/nectarines, one branch was much thicker than rest, and didnt push any out from the stick except mid-summer right above at the graft union one formed luckily. How big is the caliper of the tree? Maybe make sure it has buds below the part you cutting. Mine didn't feel like it did, and had hard trouble pushing out. Also one thing i forgot about with the DWN method, is you have to be on top of some aggresive summer pruning the first year to shape the tree, otherwise a lil' behind like me and have to do it the next year. Its in the DWN articles on backyard orchard culture on how much to prune: http:www.davewilson.com/homegrown/BOC_explained.html http:www.davewilson.com/homegrown/gardencompass/gc01_mar_apr_01.html http://www.davewilson.com/video/video_Index.html
...See More
Do you quarantine new arrivals?
Q
Comments (10)
It depends on where the roses originate. If it's a different part of the country, I keep them separate for two or three weeks. So far, I've kept out Rust and a nasty green caterpiller that way. I also worry about bringing in different strains of Blackspot, Midge, etc. Right now, I also worry about ignorant folks buying plants in south Florida (not necessarily roses) and bringing chili thrips into my part of the country. Especially snow birds who overwinter down there and then drive their RVs north for the summer. And then they put their tropicals out .... All we can do, really, is try to keep our gardens clean. And if something bad comes in, call the ag. people so they can react. (County Extenision Agent, State Ag inspectors.) Odds are that the problem won't originate with us but will migrate to us from someone who doesn't pay attention. And, yes, I have neighbors who take their honking big RVs way south for winter.
...See More
Normal for half of Bakeri to be budding while other half isn't?
Q
Comments (4)
It was purchased from a big box store in the fall, *but* had just come off the truck from the supplier. How the plant was maintained prior to that, I do not know, but it was on the box store parking lot less than a day. It was b&b. Root system seemed a touch on the small side, but what it had seemed to be in decent shape. Planted on a hillside with good drainage, no amendments. Winter and spring both *very* wet here in the midwest. Again, hard to say if the buds on the lower branches are healthy or not. They certainly are "small." But now that I think about it, the buds that are pushing get a few more hours of sunlight per day than the ones that are not, so perhaps that accounts for the timing difference. I'll give it a few more months. If it buds out, great. If the lower branches die, I'll put something else there in its place, in the fall.
...See More
Buds alrerady on bushes while foliage is still'fresh'
Q
Comments (10)
I don;t think 'Paula Fay. Paula's petals are too crinkly, although the one pic I saw at the nichollsgardens website had a pretty close resemblance in color. I think houdinii might be right about "Butterflies in Flight." I don;t know how I would have those already, unless they have tweaked and renamed an already existing variety. Mine do look exactly like thos. I have written to the farm and asked for asistance in this matter. I'll let you know if something comes of it!
...See More
dviolet1
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
This is one of the two good plants from Harmony with no sign of bugs on either one. They were never exposed to the buggy plants I brought home later that week.

So even though they're so far clean, and this is what I'm getting from your response, it still needs spraying to be safe, though having been disbudded once it shouldn't need to be disbudded again. Sorry if I'm sounding confused, I just want to be clear... I should spray and not disbud again. Does that sound about right?

So, does it follow, that we are talking about routinely spraying with Safer soap every time an AV is brought home (and quarantined), to be safe, and not only at the sign of trouble or possible exposure?

I suppose that's debatable, as some might think of using Safer soap as a preventative measure, and others might say it's a treatment.
carolyn18810
6 years ago
I am not familiar with Safer Soap. I just looked it up - is it neem based? I have had some problems with mealies and I am thinking this may help. Is it something that is alright to use around my kitties?
dviolet1
Original Author
6 years ago
Looks like an organic product with poison warnings for skin contact and inhalation on the back label. You can call their number to ask about your pets: 1-800-800-1819

https://www.amazon.com/Safer-Brand-5118-Insect-Killing/dp/B00192AO90/ref=pd_sim_86_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00192AO90&pd_rd_r=H9RJCEX8D4PFQ0XAS2MA&pd_rd_w=k6Yoz&pd_rd_wg=ki7HN&psc=1&refRID=H9RJCEX8D4PFQ0XAS2MA
Rosie1949
6 years ago
Carolyn, alcohol is usually a good (and safe) clean up for mealies. If your infestation is so bad that mealies are everywhere,,,,take a leaf and keep it alcohol-ed and clean and ISOLATED in a baggie, and toss the bad infestation. Just my 2 cents worth! Rosie
carolyn18810
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Dviolet -thank you. I will call.

Rosie - I use a 50/50 alcohol/water mix on all of my houseplants, including my AV's. I haven't seen the mealies in a while on my violets (they are kept separately from all other plants), however, I do see mealies on my other plants.
Rosie1949
6 years ago
At least your violets are clear. Good thing. Now go after your other plants! If you don't, they can be carried by you to your violets. Rosie
irina_co
6 years ago
Any soap works, not only Safer - in good concentration. I killed aphids outside with a solution of old soap leftovers ... it clogs their breathing openings... do not know about thrips - but aphids have them on their butts. So - just soap their butts ,,,
dviolet1
Original Author
6 years ago
HaHaHaHa!!! funny stuff Irina
Rosie1949
6 years ago
Irina,,,,I can't even say what image that conjures up! roflmbo!!!!! Rosie
carolyn18810
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I am going after the little buggers (no pun intended). The last thing I want to see is anything on my violets! Thank you all!
Rosie1949
6 years ago
Go get 'em Carolyn!! We're right behind you!!!!!!!!!!! Rosie
Julia (1meanmop)
6 years ago
behind you with soap.

Related Stories

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HOUSE 7 Pro Lighting Tips for Budding Home Photographers

By David Duncan Livingston

Learn how to control daylight and artificial light to get high-quality home photos even if you're just starting out

SHELTERING AT HOME 10 Quick Decluttering Projects While You Shelter at Home

By Tailorly, Professional Home Organizing

Get peace of mind and a sense of accomplishment with these projects — minimal time investment required

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 9 Tips for Living a (Semi-)Normal Life While Your Home Is Being Shown

By Laura Gaskill

Preparation, routine and treats help you make the house you’re selling presentable at a moment’s notice

WORKING WITH PROS 8 Ways to Keep Your Home Project Going While Helping Local Pros

By Becky Harris

Helping design and building businesses during this crisis offers advantages for homeowners

ORGANIZING 6 Ways to Stay Organized While You Shelter at Home

By Tailorly, Professional Home Organizing

A professional home organizer shares strategies for creating a sense of calm at home when the world is anything but

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Convolvulus Cneorum

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Bush morning glory’s silvery foliage is transformed every day as pinkish buds open to reveal white flowers

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Seamlessly Updating an Oglesby in Dallas

By Nora Burba Trulsson

Renovations give a 1969 Texas home a new entry, a master suite and an expanded family room while honoring the original style

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Spring Blossoms Burst Into the Big City

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Warm weather has lured busloads of gorgeous flowers to New York, from shy buds to full-blown blooms

FUN HOUZZ 9 Incredible Treehouses

By Lawrence Karol

Rustic, modern or bedecked in buds, these treehouses are rooted in great design

HOUZZ CALL Show Us Your Beautiful Spring Views

By Annie Thornton

Share photos of the new buds, leaves and blooms that signal the rebirth of your yards and outdoor views

Sponsored

More Discussions

violets grow straight up

3

Rooted violet leaves : what now?

4

Little Bugs on my AV

2

What’s blooming now…

1