Kontos

[Ernest]

On the whitefly issue I was told by a plumeria grower that the addition of worm castings to the planting mix is a good preventive measure as something gets taken up systemically by the plant that repels the whitefly. Since I have quite a few plumeria and hibiscus in the ground and in pots and was having some trouble with whitefly infestation on both, I started adding the worm castings to the mix. It's always difficult to know about true cause and effect but I'll have to say that my whitefly problem had essentially disappeared since I started doing this.

[Bart]

Thank you Charlie,
I think hats exactly what I did. I tried to be careful not to water too much but inevitably, with the scorching hot summer days, I'm quite sure I did just that; not only once, but twice. I'm repotting now so I'm mixing the safari into the new soil, along with worm castings, mychorhriza and some silica. This will be the first time I've tried raw silica. I'm curious to see how fast it actually takes it to finally melt away and be absorbed by the plant.

I do have some new leaves that are coming out with a wilting brown. I just take those right away. I didn't have the same issue I fought last year ,at least not nearly to the same degree, but I did, and still do have some brown patches. This time it always begins at the edges whereas last year, as you are aware, it could show up randomly. Actually, it's not oily feeling like last years but more of a wilted, sometimes even rigid, brown/black and then turning crisp (unless I saw and pulled it prior to that stage). All-in-all, whiteflies not withstanding, I had a pretty good year. Eye of Kali was my biggest bloomer and I'm not sure it doesn't have a disease, possible virus, that can't be cured. The wood looks black at random places. I'm not sure what it shoul look like but surely not like it does. I'll try to post some pictures on the board later today, providing all ____ don't break loose at the Bowling Green Office today. I would like to post several pictures of some of the different stuff I saw this year. I'm certain other long time growers may have seen many of the things I see in which I haven't a clue.

One more thing...on down in this string, there were several fungicides mentioned that is systemic and can be poured directly into the root zone. I didn't recognize any of those and I've been looking for a good multipurpose fungicide for two years now...it's just not sold here (unless it's restricted in KY in which I would need to go ahead and get my license to purchase, which I'm considering doing anyway. I'm told it's easily done here any doesnt take long to secure them). If you have any of those you sale, or could sell me, please email me and let me know. Using the same stuff month after month is getting me nowhere. I don't think I've ever had the satisfaction go taking a diseased plant and making it healthy again, at least by means of a systemic spray. I need to wash down the plant now as some have a black sooty mold, I think, on the underside of the leaves. I think you will have something to help me with that when I place my order (this week) but in the meantime, please tell me about mixing the warm soapy agent that everyone but me knows about...ha.

I'm glad I took yhe time to get back on the board to see how all the familiar names of people frequenting this forum are doing. I wish there were a grower in KY or Northern TN I could exchange war stories with but, if there are, I can't find them and believe me...I've looked!

Have a great
Bart

[Bart]

On the whitefly issue I was told by a plumeria grower that the addition of worm castings to the planting mix is a good preventive measure as something gets taken up systemically by the plant that repels the whitefly. Since I have quite a few plumeria and hibiscus in the ground and in pots and was having some trouble with whitefly infestation on both, I started adding the worm castings to the mix. It's always difficult to know about true cause and effect but I'll have to say that my whitefly

Thanks Ernest,
I use Worm Castings in all my pots. I will say it's been a while since I've topped off the plants but now that I am in the repotting stage (this will take a while), besides the castings that I've already added into my soil mixture, I'll add additional castings on top of the potting soil where the bottom of the rootball will sit, and then I take another handful and rub around the roots making sure the rootball has a good covering of castings. I'm always careful not to add too much as that will prevent good drainage and one of the reasons I repot all my plant in late fall is to change to a much lighter mix that drains much better. Plants just don't use much water in the winter, at least hear in KY, but the plants still grow vigorously in my room and I end up cutting the plants back twice throughout winter. This year may be different due to my allowing cold weather to sneak in well before I was ready to bring the plants in. Not only have whiteflies caused issues but; the cold temps they've had to endure a few time has increased their stress level a great deal. That's where Charlie's Wakeup Spray comes in handy. I've got to get leaves growing very soon ormolu end up loosing some plants to root issues.

Thanks for your help Ernest,
Bart