"torge conrad" wrote in message
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I have a couple of Hibiscus in self watering pots that i keep behind the
patio window which is south facing. they had a lot of tiny white flies
and
i was told to spray with a mixture of water and dish washing liquid, which
i
did. but about three days later they are now back again with a vengence.
i
dont know where they have all come from suddenly.

i would prefer not to use chemicals to stop the white fly since i keep
the
plants inside.

This isn't necessarily a problem

any other suggestions please?

There are two types of insecticide. Contact insecticides - which you
spray once and it will kill all the insects it comes into contact
with, and systemics which are absorbed by the plant tissue and kill
any insects which try to eat the plant. Systemics are more expensive
and of no extra benefit in this situation. Regardless of their
effectiveness.

To use a contact insecticide on houseplants take all the plants
outside into the garden and give then all a thorough drenching
from all angles with a contact insecticide. That includes from
below, especially the undersides of the leaves, because aphids
are adept at hiding from natural predators such as birds.

This has to be thorough, something you can't do indoors as you
appreciate, when there's an danger of getting stuff on the
curtains or upholstery.

Then, when you think you've given them all a thorough drenching,
just to be sure, do it all over again.

You can make up your own using dilute washing up-liquid, but
this is mainly for people who use it in the greenhouse ot
garden where they use gallons of the stuff in the course
of a year, and where they don't want to kill off any beneficial
insects. Neither of which apply with plants kept indoors.
The shop bought stuff is guaranteed to do the job providing
you use the right dilution, and are sufficiently thorough.


michael adams

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