K Barrett wrote:
I read about an new (to me) product called Bayer Rose and Flower Insect
Killer that has Imocloprid and something called Clyfluthrin (sorry if I
spelled that wrong). Label says its a systemic and kills on contact.
Those seem to be counter intuitive to me, how can it do both? I always
thought an insecticide was one or the other.... ... I am assuming the
Clyfuthrin is the systemic/contact killer of adults while the imicloprid
affects newly hatched young. Anyway, I've tried it and it sure knocked down
a blooming fungus gnat problem, on the plants potted in sphagnum. I have
yet to see if it truly lasts 30 days.
K Barrett
Works like a charm. I haven't used the formulation you used, but I did
use the tree and shrub version, which I think is just imidocloprid.
Great for scale. I've heard it is supposed to last a year... Maybe
that is hype. IIRC, it is also sold as Premier and Marathon (and a few
other trade names). If you believe the MSDS, it is less toxic to
mammals than many of the things we might otherwise use. If you want to
spend more money, there is a 'translaminar' formulation of imidocloprid
(Marathon II? I'm working without a net today...), that penetrates the
leaf tissue. I think the regular formulation has to be absorbed mainly
through the roots (applied as drench).
Only problem I've found with this stuff is that it makes the spidermites
go crazy. Like bunnies on viagra. My spidermite population went
through the roof when I sprayed with imidocloprid. Somebody pointed me
to an article which said that it was a growth promoter for mites, but I
can't find it right now.
Anyway, use it only if you don't have a problem with spider mites. Or
don't spray the mite prone plants. Or spray in conjunction with a good
miticide (if you can afford one). I'd rather not use any pesticides,
but if I have to use it again, I'll release some predatory mites a week
or two after spraying.
--
Rob's Rules:
http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit