Unfortunatley I did not get properly prepared before I started. I keep a
drawer next to the sink with odds and ends of cleaning materials like tooth
brushes, pipe cleaners and bottle brushes for hummingbird feeders, etc. I
opened the drawer after I had started spraying the first one to find
everyhting was gone. The only toothbrush I could find was a very hard one.
"Ray B" wrote in message
news
cp2i.11940$1X1.7136@trndny02...
For future reference, a thorough spraying with soapy water, then moderate
scrubbing with a soft toothbrush dipped periodically in more soapy water
will safely remove scale without risk of damage with a scalpel blade.
If you really want to get serious about it, try my "Rise & Shine"
concoction. Sold as a leaf cleaner, it is a combination of ingredients
that quickly dislodges the critters, kills them and disinfects the plant
surface, all in one.
Yeah, I know that this is close to being an ad, but I just wanted to share
the alternate route to plant maintenance.
--
Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!
"BruceM" wrote in message
...
A followup :
Thanks to the users here ofr their responses. I eventually settled for
using Safer's brand Insecticidal soap and added Neem oil for backup.
Watered the plats well, inspected for any hardscale, and carehully pried
those off with a sharp scalpel. Sprayed the leaves top and bottom,
thoroughly soaking the entire plant.
Placed it back in the window with the blinds closed for a day to let it
dry and so far so good. It has been about 3 weeks (I know I know) and I
will spray a second time this weekend.
"BruceM" wrote in message
...
After reading many posts on scale cotrol, it looks Enstar II in
comobination with Orthene WP would be a good way to go, but I am not
sure I would want to use it on my plants kept in the house around pets.
I only have about 30 pots, all kept in the house, and would prefer a
less "nuclear" way to do it.
At the moment I only have one plant that I can defintiely say has scale
, and it is in bad enough shape I am just going to throw it away.
Anyone have personal experience with using something available in
common box stores (don't throw anything)? I alwasy keep lots of safer
insecticidal soap on hand for my roses and think I may try that and / or
a alcohol spray.