You may want to try Neem Oil, sold as a Green Light product named Rose
Defense. Good for smothering scale. I would urge caution on the Orthene on
Gardenias. I know on Hibiscus it will cause leaf drop.


"Scarlett" wrote in message
...
That does, indeed, help. :-) Thanks so much for the reply. I will try
it
once. After that, I am going to the Orthene to get rid of the little
pests!

Thanks again!


"Elliot Richmond" wrote in message
...
| On Fri, 09 Apr 2004 19:42:24 GMT, "Scarlett"
| wrote:
|
| I have tried the baking soda and diluted milk methods on my gardenias,
but
| the sooty mold is still clinging to the leaves.
|
| A Google search on the subject returned several suggestions about
"white
| oil." It seems that this will kill the insects that are creating the
| problem to begin with, and further that it will serve to make removal
of
the
| sooty mold much easier. Apparently, "white oil" is nothing more than a
| combination of vegetable oil and dishwashing soap--although it can be
| purchased commercially.
|
| What has been your experience, if any, with this product, and would you
| recommend it for my gardenias?
|
| I have not used white oil since we moved to Austin. But in Southeast
| Texas, we used it constantly on our gardenias and on our citrus trees.
| The insects are known as white flies. They do damage the plant, but a
| healthy plant can probably survive an infestation.. But the problem is
| white fly poop. It causes the sooty mold you referred to and this
| blocks light and reduces the plant's ability to photosynthesize.
|
| Apply the oil, let is sit a day or two, then spray vigorously with
| clear water. The sooty coating will wash right off and the number of
| white flies will be dramatically reduced. Several repetitions may be
| necessary to eliminate the white flies completely. However, I seem to
| remember there are limitations on how often you can use the stuff.
|
| Hope this helps.
|
| Elliot
|
|
| Elliot Richmond
| Freelance Science Writer and Editor