On Tue, 6 Jan 2009 11:44:20 +1100, "YMC"
wrote:

Hello,

I have a Harlequin rose which produces an abundance of rose hips. I am
careful not to spray any pesticide on the plant as I harvest the hips. So
far so good. If I do spray anything - I use a combo of both Eucalytus Oil
and Soap.

Lately its been infested with thrips - causing discoloration in the flowers
and damage to the leaves. I've sprayed Rogor a systemic pesticide on the
plant - and cut off all the flowers/hips and thrown them away. I probably
have to do a repeat spraying in 10 days times to kill off more of the
thrips. Then destroy all spent flowers - next month February.

Would it be safe to assume that the pesticide would have run its course by
the end of February? And by late March one could safely harvest the hips for
human consumption?

Its currently Summer now over here. Autumn will be in April.

Cheers,

YMC



I would allow a full year of no systemic pesticide before consumption.
The concentration drops off after a couple months, but chances are
good small amounts are still there. The only way to know for sure is
a quantitative analysis.

I don't like it but I use systemic pesticide on my roses, there would
be nothing left without it. Luckily, I only use it on roses.