Misuse of Lysol, Physan, Oxycodone, and sex
Okay I lied on the last part, but hope it got your attention
and you read the article. No one really
enjoys reading about agricultural chemicals but here goes…..
It absolutely amazes me how the use of Lysol and Physan are
so commonly used in African Violet, and other plant groups as
insecticides/algaecides/fungicides. THEY
ARE NOT!! They are sterilants and
designed to kill anything and everything alive. When very weak solutions or concentrations
are used they do work, but there are much safer chemicals out there. They do a much better job and do not weaken
or kill your plants in the process but attack the very pest you are combating. They are much easier on the environment and
years of research has gone in to produce them.
However, these too must be handled properly but are commonly
misused.
First of all identify the problem. Fungicides kill fungus, not mites, thrips, caterpillars,
fleas, ticks, cockroaches, mealy bugs, snakes, mosquitos, snails, gnats,
houseflies, rats and mice. On African violets
particular fungicides kill various fungus such as root rot, damping off, and
powdery mildew. You must use the proper
one for the job.
I love Subdue Maxx
for controlling soil borne fungus such as damping off and root rot. I use 1 drop per quart of water, along with a
few drops of dawn, anytime I stick a leaf into new soil or transplant using new
untreated soil. It should not be used
more than once in 6 months on the same soil pot. It is a drench not a spray and you give the
pot a good drink ONCE. It will not work to control powdery mildew
and foliar fungi. But what a job it does
in increasing your chances of success when putting down new leaves.
There are many foliar fungicides out there. My favorite at the moment is Cleary’s 3336 WP,
but Captan, Diathane M45, Daconil, are others.
Each one has different directions.
All (I think) are administered as a spray. I use
a few drops of Dawn soap in the spray as it helps spread the mist all over the
plant.
Insecticides…. there are many, seldom needed with African
violets. If so I like ones containing
Bifenthrin, but should be alternated with other “Flavors”. And don’t change the
recipe. Use no stronger than directed
and it is not a good idea to combine ingredients. Some are just not compatible, but worse, the critters can and do become resistant.
Alternating is not a good idea either.
Use the same insecticide at least 3 times in the spray regime before
switching to another unless the product is obviously not working.
Mites and Thrips (These are closer related to spiders than
insects, and insecticides are not effective in combating them). Abamectin (Avid) (Lucid) and several other
“brands” are excellent. I use and
recommend 10 drops per quart along with a few drops of Dawn soap and thoroughly
spray the plant and area. It should be
used 3 times 7 days apart. Repeat this
procedure 3 times using Abamectin if the problem reoccurs, then use another
“Flavor” several times in a row, such as Spinosid (Conserve). This is to avoid building up genetic
resistance in the pest itself.
Although usually fungicides and insecticides can be mixed
safely it is better and easier on your plant to combat one problem at a
time. NEVER mix two different
insecticides or miticides together, it
may or may not work, but worse, any pest that survives has a much better chance
of passing its genes to the next generation and building up resistance. This last sentence bears repeating 3 times in
this short article.
NEVER mix two different insecticides
or miticides together, it may or may not
work, but worse, any pest that survives has a much better chance of passing its
genes to the next generation and build up resistance.
For more information contact me directly