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Thread: DE and mealy bug battle

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  1. #1
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    Smile DE and mealy bug battle

    Hi everyone!

    Would a good puffing of diatomaceous earth (DE) be good for eliminating mealy bugs? Its a constant battle.
    Setting up a 6ft orchidarium soon and would ideally like to put bug free plants in their final places. They will be going in root bare so was thinking giving their roots a good dosing too but not sure if this would damage the plant.
    I've tried all the usual, plus sprays but nothing seems to get rid of them.
    Any suggestions would be really appreciated!

  2. #2
    My Grow Area
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    Are the plants in pots now?

  3. #3
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris in Hamilton View Post
    Are the plants in pots now?
    Some are, some are not and have adapted to water culture.

  4. #4
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    I'm just think that if you are having a persistent mealy problem that they may be in the pots on the roots. Try submerging a potted plant up to the rim of the pot to see waht crawls out onto the plant itself.

  5. #5
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    Ray Barkalow
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    Default

    I would avoid applying diatomaceous earth to the roots. it will likely desiccate them.

    I agree with Chris that it is likely your treatments have not been done properly.

    1. Get a good, commercial insecticide like Azamax or Bayer 3-in-1.
    2. Thoroughly wet every plant surface and make sure the medium is saturated.
    3. Repeat that at one-week intervals for a total of three treatments.

  6. #6
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    Default

    Thank you very much.

  7. #7
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    Geoff Hands
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    A cheaper alternative is soapy water, and a soft artists paint brush. I occasionally find one or two in the top of the new growth on soft cane dendrites - nobile and its hybrids, and that is what I use. The leaves look nice and clean afterwards, too !

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