Troublesome whitefly
 

I've had these almost every year in the greenhouse and now they are back
again, they first show up on the surface of the soil and look like tiny
white specks on the compost under the leaves (just some fuchsia cuttings up
to now, but I expect them to spread), and on the underside of the leaves,
I've squashed as many as possible by running my finger over obvious sites of
infestation, but is ther something I can spray onto the plants? - I don't
want to use any other insects for several reasons, the main one being I'm
too stingy!...are there any home made ways of eradicating them? ... or
chemical sprays?

--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we."
- George W. Bush, 5.8.2004

Phil L wrote:
I've had these almost every year in the greenhouse and now they are back
again, they first show up on the surface of the soil and look like tiny
white specks on the compost under the leaves (just some fuchsia cuttings up
to now, but I expect them to spread), and on the underside of the leaves,
I've squashed as many as possible by running my finger over obvious sites of
infestation, but is ther something I can spray onto the plants? - I don't
want to use any other insects for several reasons, the main one being I'm
too stingy!...are there any home made ways of eradicating them? ... or
chemical sprays?

For many years I have sown a small tray of French Marigolds in my
greenhouse in order to discourage whitefly, and it has never failed. As
soon as the first true leaves appear above the cotyledons it is
effective. When transplanted between the greenhouse plants they make a
pretty addition to the greenhouse; as little as two have been adequate
for my 6ft by 8ft greenhouse. And,of course,it is organic.( i understand
that tagetes are also good but I have never tried them myself). p.s.
they will also see off red spider mites.

sam wrote:
[...] For many years I have sown a small tray of French Marigolds in
my
greenhouse in order to discourage whitefly, and it has never
failed.
[...]
understand that tagetes are also good but I have never tried them
myself).[...]

You have, though: French marigolds _are_ tagetes! OK, so are African
marigolds, but I think a lot of the ones around are crosses between
the two anyhow.

--
Mike.

Mike Lyle wrote:
:: sam wrote:
:: [...] For many years I have sown a small tray of French Marigolds
:: in my
::: greenhouse in order to discourage whitefly, and it has never
:: failed.
:: [...]
::: understand that tagetes are also good but I have never tried them
::: myself).[...]
::
:: You have, though: French marigolds _are_ tagetes! OK, so are
:: African marigolds, but I think a lot of the ones around are
:: crosses between the two anyhow.
::

I have tow trays of French marigold seedlings in the house, I'll put them in
there tomorrow and report back.

As an aside, what the hell am I going to do with my mimosa tree?!? - it's
growing at the rate of an inch a day and is now almost four inches tall
(temps 70 - 90 F)...if I take it out of the hot frame, will it die?...what's
the lowest temps it will put up with? - I can't leave the heating on for
many more weeks...



--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we."
- George W. Bush, 5.8.2004