One man went to grow........2014 Diary
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- Posts: 3194
- Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:44 pm
- Location: Grand Isle Co., Vermont
Re: One man went to grow........2014 Diary
Many folks have a "thing" against using a systemic containing imidacloprid since it can be a threat to bees: it is a neurotoxin to them. But used carefully (contain the runoff so that it does not seep into garden soil, and don't pour it down a drain) it is highly effective. Use it now while the roots are still functioning. Using it when the plant is preparing to go dormant in late fall doesn't work because the roots need to absorb it and send it through all the tissues. I've read here that Bayer 3-in-1 is very popular and quite widely available. It's especially good for getting the mealies that tend to hide along the soil line and in the folds of cactus ribs and in among all the spines. If the buggers are sparse and easily accessible, I use Safer's insecticidal soap after picking off as many as I can with a toothpick and isopropyl alcohol. Hope this helps.
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
Re: One man went to grow........2014 Diary
Thanks for the tip Fanaticactus. I have been reluctant to use any systemic insecticides for fear of creating resistance but I may decide to blitz them.
Here is a pic of 2 matucana. The one on the right is a seed grown intertexta and the one on the left is not. Lovely flowers. Not much else in flower at present.
Here is a pic of 2 matucana. The one on the right is a seed grown intertexta and the one on the left is not. Lovely flowers. Not much else in flower at present.
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- Posts: 3194
- Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:44 pm
- Location: Grand Isle Co., Vermont
Re: One man went to grow........2014 Diary
Very nice Matucanas indeed. The one on the left has a body that could fool a lot of people (especially me!) into thinking it's a Parodia or Echinopsis, but the flower is definitely Matucana. I've never heard of too much systemic creating a resistance to it in the cactus. Quite the opposite, I read a post from one of our contributors saying he uses a systemic several times during a season and his collection is free of mealies. However, it would be interesting to hear from others with their ideas on this subject.
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
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- Posts: 3194
- Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:44 pm
- Location: Grand Isle Co., Vermont
Re: One man went to grow........2014 Diary
Beautiful display! I had such bad luck with Lithops, I'm hesitant to try again.
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
Re: One man went to grow........2014 Diary
Great lthops.
A Moth is Lighter than the Sea, but Dimmer than the Light it Sees.