What can I soak a sick plant in for serious scale?

[fishmommy]

Safari insecticide worked great for me on scale.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Andrew]

Which insecticides have you used? Imidicloprid is only rated as effective against soft scales, not hard scales. Pest oil works well but it's needs complete coverage to work which isn't always easy for big plants like Cyms; scale can get in the leaf axils and under surface of the mix, which makes it hard to get to.

Malathion isn't user friendly but I find it's still probably the most effective pesticide against scale you can buy off the shelf in Australia. For heavy infestations, I usually make up a bucket of malathion as per the label and dunk the entire pot in it. I then spray the leaves until they're thoroughly drenched. Treat the plant 3 times, 3 days apart and the problem is usually under control. It's worth treating the surrounding plants in case they're the source of the reinfestation.

[Vanda lover]

I clean each leaf off using a paper towel with dish soap and water on a paper towel. Then I use a clean, wet towel to remove excess soap. I spray with a mixture of hand soap or dish soap , a little cinnamon extract or peppermint extract and some alcohol. About 1 tsp extract, 1 tsp alcohol and a few drops of soap to the spray bottle. Check often and repeat spraying. hot peppers and garlic also work in a spray. But it doesn't smell nearly as nice.

[goodgollymissmolly]

The one I use is the Bayer Tree and Scrub. While I think Bayer has created mass confusion with their product naming and labeling, if you can find the one with both Merit (Imidicloprid) and Cyfluthrin It will work. I actually think the Merit works well, rated or not. There are of course many other insecticides you can rotate so as to get optimum all around efficacy.

I think my point is that CO2 isn't going to cut it without some elaborate setup and the home remedies that many push are just not effective no matter what they think.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by goodgollymissmolly

The one I use is the Bayer Tree and Scrub. While I think Bayer has created mass confusion with their product naming and labeling, if you can find the one with both Merit (Imidicloprid) and Cyfluthrin It will work. I actually think the Merit works well, rated or not. There are of course many other insecticides you can rotate so as to get optimum all around efficacy.

I think my point is that CO2 isn't going to cut it without some elaborate setup and the home remedies that many push are just not effective no matter what they think.

Home remedies work just fine as long as you check them frequently, which you should do anyway. I don't like using poisons inside the house because of pets, but also for our own health.

[NYCorchidman]

I just dumped a nice blue cattleya that I've been trying to save from scale (the soft body white one). nothing worked unfortunately and in fear of spreading to others, I said bye bye.

[Leafmite]

I dislike using pestices but sometimes it is the best option. I honestly have my doubts about the effectiveness of cinnamon (even if it is likely cassia) on scale (My cinnamomum zeylancium was heavily infested with scale so I gave in and used granular rose systemic (I don't intend to harvest any cinnamon for a few years)). Alcohol is pretty good but it takes time and the scale missed keep multiplying. 3-in-1 granular rose systemic takes a few weeks to get into the plant so Malathion is a good choice if you need something that works quickly. We use this on the fruit trees. Always read all the warnings and instructions before using. Good luck!

---------- Post added at 03:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:16 PM ----------

No need to get rid of a plant...rose systemic would have made those little buggers history (as would malathion or sevin).

[greengarden]

Had a thought that I don't have dry icce but i do have a 'Soda Stream' (do you guys have them? They are to carbonate your own soft drinks) Which has a CO2 canister which I could easily attach to a container with the plant in it How long can I safely leave the plant in the CO2 container for?

---------- Post added at 08:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 AM ----------

If I use a combo of that and the insecticide I might just get them. The plant is pretty badly damaged though so I just hope I can bring it back from the brink!

[Stray59]

Goodgolly -
There are a couple of posts on this that explains most if not all of your questions.
Many insect eggs require an oxygenated atmosphere - you can smother the egg before it hatches in may cases and I believe that scale is one of those insects - not sure, but have not had to repeat the method for scale - one time does it for me.
As far as the "how-to", you really need to read the original posts to have the full method explained. You seem to be ready to "jump on" my suggestion without doing your basic research of reading the original posts. As far as being imaginative, yes, thank you I am - Obviously you more concerned with maintaining your point of view than to consider something you don't know about.
We are not talking about your collection of 2500; we are talking about one plant that a member is having trouble with ridding of pests. Unless I am mistaken you are on a public forum with others able to make suggestions. Unless you want someone criticizing the posts you make, please do not do the same. If this method had not worked for me in a similar situation, I would not have suggested it.
I also have run quite a few orchids through my home, but that does not give me the right to be rude and obnoxious to others.
Now, please take the time to read the original posts about this before jumping on my recent post. You really are talking outside of your knowledge base.
Steve

[goodgollymissmolly]

Merit (Imidicloprid), Safari, and Marathon are all classed as neonicitinoids. They all fall into the "caution" category on toxicity which is the lowest (safest) rating. Andrew, the info I see says they are all effective against sucking insects including scale. Certainly my experience is good with them.

Using the home remedy products might make you feel good, but if they actually work (and at best efficacy is low) then they are just as much poisons as the materials you refer to refer to as poison. The cinnamon certainly is not killing insects. The peppermint might work physically like a horticultural oil since it is an oil dispersed in water. Note that peppermint extract is thought to cause liver failure in cats.

If you need to kill an insect, my theory is use something known to work and get it over with. Repeatedly using alcohol or dish detergent on plants is bad for the wax coating on foliage, has no residual activity, and might not even be effective on contact.

Everybody is welcome to their own remedies, but at least look into the usefulness of them. It might be that a little bit of efficacy can offset a lot of useless spraying stuff around.