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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #120 on: April 18, 2011, 08:08:30 PM » |
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Hi Darren, I use a biodegradable detergent, I also add a little to my fert water too, it slows down the gnats (thanks Cindy:) So no worries there, the key is to keep it up, an ounce of prevention equals no spidermites  |
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blupit007
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« Reply #121 on: April 19, 2011, 06:46:31 AM » |
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If I want to mix up a solution with liquid Ivory, what rate do you mix?
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-Kristen
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Angrysun
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« Reply #122 on: April 30, 2011, 12:40:29 PM » |
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Hi Charlie I would be very interested in learning your method of properly using Kontos to battle 2 spotted spider mites. They are tearing my plants up! Thank you in advance.
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blupit007
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« Reply #123 on: May 01, 2011, 03:47:09 PM » |
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I have a question. Charlie, if you use Kontos, and it makes the adults not able to procreate... and it is summer, what about the constant flow of new adults that come? What about them, cause they can still do damage, just not make babies...
I was wondering if anyone who is trying the Wilt Proof method are still having luck. I would like to give it a go tomorrow outside.
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-Kristen
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Charlie
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« Reply #124 on: May 02, 2011, 06:30:51 AM » |
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Angrysun, I sent you an email response about Kontos.
Kristin, you bring up a good question. I am also still interested in hearing any reports about using WiltPruf. It would be a lot cheaper than Kontos but with the added drawback of having to move the plants outside to spray. I will probably continue to use Kontos on our indoor hibiscus because there are so many that taking them out is a job that won't get done often. But for people with outdoor hibiscus or not wanting to use pesticides it would be super if the WiltPruf worked in all types of conditions.
As for spider mites invading your hibiscus you might not have much of a problem with that since it's hard to imagine they survive the type of freezing winter you have. Your biggest worry is bringing them home on new plants you acquire. I'm shipping the cleanest hibiscus I have ever shipped this year, and can say with almost certainty you will not be getting any hitchhikers on the plants from us. Most growers use the idea of "avoiding commercially damaging levels" of insect pests rather than "zero tolerance" so you have to be careful with what you bring home. It should be an interesting summer and possibly even a mite free summer - we shall see how people do with the new approaches in the new growing season.
Charlie
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Nievesgirl
Posts: 975
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« Reply #125 on: May 02, 2011, 12:33:43 PM » |
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My problem is all the pesticdes I bought require taking plants outsize  I have avid and the dr doom knock out spray but after reading the directions I am so scared to even spray them..... I googled natural ways to get rid of spider-mites again. I remember you ( Charlie) saying do not spray Alcohol because it is dangerous to breath in. I think I will try diluting it with the water but whipping the leaves with a cotton ball. I will do a test patch first before I do all the plants. This may sound like it would be harder than spraying plants with hot water in shower, but its not. The thing is I have to drag back and fourth over 50 plants to my tub every 2 days its a PITA on my back. So at least if I try the alcohol on leaves I can sit there and do each plant one buy one with out straining my back. |
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~Kerry~
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farmer d
Farmer D
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Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #126 on: May 02, 2011, 05:30:11 PM » |
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On the WiltPruf side of things I will be using it as soon as my plants have mostly mature leaves to spray. Right now the leaves are all starting to come in but it might be a few months before they are ready to spray. Since mine are all outside and I did have two plants that were completely defoliated by mites (Valentines Day & Bonnie Lass) last year I hope I can provide some good information this summer on WP effectiveness.
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Charlie
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« Reply #127 on: May 03, 2011, 04:51:09 AM » |
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Kerry if you try the alcohol be sure to keep the windows open and have a fan blowing the fumes away from you. Kontos is a lot easier to deal with than any of the other remedies for people with a lot of potted plants. No spraying involved but it does cost about $200 to get started.
Charlie
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blupit007
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« Reply #128 on: May 03, 2011, 05:55:12 AM » |
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Charlie, I will be moving my plants outside in hopefully two weeks. They have been spending there days outside for a couple hours of sun. We have been getting nice sunny days in the 70's. So they are going outside.
I guess I have to wait for the spring growth to come in first. I forgot about that. I will just keep up with the Kontos for now. I have had it at a higher dose since they are not drinking up as quickly as they normally wood. I blame it on the heat in the house not needing to be on because it is mild outside.
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-Kristen
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Nievesgirl
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« Reply #129 on: May 18, 2011, 09:47:10 AM » |
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Looks Like I am "winning" LOL I been showering my plants once a week with the hottest water that comes out of my faucet ! I must say Hibiscus are pretty tough. The water burns me but the hibiscus seem fine I may actually use the Dr Doom spray now since I got them under control. |
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~Kerry~
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roadrunner
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« Reply #130 on: June 18, 2011, 05:10:41 PM » |
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Well the spider mite population has exploded on my hibiscus in the greenhouse again this summer inspite of frequent washings and rotating sprayings with Safer's soap and Endall, hort oil, and neem oil. It's too hot to use any of the oil sprays now with afternoon temps right around 100. It's also incredibly dry and windy.
I'm finally throwing in the towel and ordering the Kontos. I can't afford it but moving about 70 plants in and out of the greenhouse to do the various treatments is becoming too much of a chore.
Charlie could you email those guidelines on using the Kontos? I'll be treating the whole collection soon, hopefully.
thanks,
dave
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Dave N.
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davidwood
David In Nha Trang Vietnam
Posts: 1054
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« Reply #131 on: June 18, 2011, 07:56:06 PM » |
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Best thing to do Dave and within a couple of months Mites are a thing of the past.
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David.
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roadrunner
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« Reply #132 on: June 19, 2011, 10:27:01 AM » |
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I sure hope so. These nasty things are taking all the joy out of this hobby. It weird, I never had any spider mites on any of my garden variety hibiscus for all the years I grew them and also none the first 3 years with the exotics. The only problem back then was aphids, no thrips, no whiteflies, and no mites. GRRRRRRRRR
dave
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Dave N.
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davidwood
David In Nha Trang Vietnam
Posts: 1054
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« Reply #133 on: June 19, 2011, 12:45:54 PM » |
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I dread the thought that Spider mites may ever become immune to the Kontos, not sure if I could face all that stuff we had to do before, now its just 2 or 3 odd leaves a month and thats only on one cv.
When you first use it Dave make sure you dont forget your garden Hibs, mine actually seemed to get worse for the first month, it all settles down in the end though and I now use it on every plant in my garden.
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David.
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dayvedayve
Posts: 27
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« Reply #134 on: July 03, 2011, 07:25:07 PM » |
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Has anyone tried Garlic Plants to "run off" spider mites? I was reading on an organic site that Garlic can be used as a companion plant to repel aphids and spider mites.
I just spent 3 hrs washing leaves off 150 plants and the bayer 3 in 1 seems to have no effect on them this year. I looked at Neem extract but the label said not to apply to known sensitive plants and had Hibiscus flowers listed. Does this mean just the flowers or the plant? Would it be better to dilute it more than the label states?
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