Detergent Spray - Fukien Tea ?

[just.wing.it]

I have read several books, in reference to aphids on Fukien Tea, that say NOT to use a regular horticultural oil, but instead "a little detergent (soap) and water"...
My question is, how much is "a little"?
I'll be using a 32 oz (1 qt) spray bottle.
I'm thinking, like one or two drops...
Is that too little?... I don't want too much...

 

[Anthony]

As usual, test the spray on an expendable. We use rooted cuttings.

Now testing an idea, since basil protects tomatoes, would the fine leafed thyme, [as a small plant be grown in
the back of the fukien tea bonsai pot ], would the roots pass onto the fukien tea, protection.
Let you know how it goes next year.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[GrimLore]

"a little detergent (soap) and water"...

I have never found homemade concoctions to be very effective. Insecticidal Soap is not soap and most often is organic in nature. I would suggest seeing you have a sprayer to get a concentrate as it is far less expensive and mix your own.

Grimmy

 

[just.wing.it]

As usual, test the spray on an expendable. We use rooted cuttings.

Now testing an idea, since basil protects tomatoes, would the fine leafed thyme, [as a small plant be grown in
the back of the fukien tea bonsai pot ], would the roots pass onto the fukien tea, protection.
Let you know how it goes next year.
Good Day
Anthony

Yeah, let us know!
Cool idea!

 

[just.wing.it]

I have never found homemade concoctions to be very effective. Insecticidal Soap is not soap and most often is organic in nature. I would suggest seeing you have a sprayer to get a concentrate as it is far less expensive and mix your own.

Grimmy

Sounds like good advice to me.
Thanks Grimmy!

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Here is what I've done in the past for this species.
I mix up a bowl of water not hot not cold with dish soap. I use dawn.
Then use a spoon to scoop out just the sudsy foam. Layer the foam on all the leaves top and bottom and cover the top of the root area. Leave it alone and water as usual in a couple days.
Worked like a dream.

 

[Stickroot]

Also comes in a spray bottle, sold everywhere.
Sometimes I think we get more caught up on making something to kill them than actually killing them. I call it the project for a project theory. Gotta do this to do this... NO!
Nike had it right. "JUST DO IT"
Buy Bayer = kill bugs!

 

[just.wing.it]

Here is what I've done in the past for this species.
I mix up a bowl of water not hot not cold with dish soap. I use dawn.
Then use a spoon to scoop out just the sudsy foam. Layer the foam on all the leaves top and bottom and cover the top of the root area. Leave it alone and water as usual in a couple days.
Worked like a dream.

Wow! Hmmmm.....
Thank you!

 

[just.wing.it]

View attachment 121544 Also comes in a spray bottle, sold everywhere.
Sometimes I think we get more caught up on making something to kill them than actually killing them. I call it the project for a project theory. Gotta do this to do this... NO!
Nike had it right. "JUST DO IT"
Buy Bayer = kill bugs!

Lol!
Noted ...

 

[Anthony]

Stickroot,

there is a problem with Fukien tea sensitivity to sprays. They don't like - cides, so you could end up killing the plant.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Stickroot]

Stickroot,

there is a problem with Fukien tea sensitivity to sprays. They don't like - cides, so you could end up killing the plant.
Good Day
Anthony

I have used it for years. It is so delicate it will not even hurt their flowers.
And yes on my tea trees and EVERYTHING else

 

[petegreg]

I agree with GrimLore and Stickroot. Do not play the games with woodoo recipes, didn't work for me. Kill the bugs with good insecticide. My FTs could stand it without any troubles.

Started with sth similar to horticultural oil, some waxy substances...all wrong. They can work well as a protection, but once the plant is seriously infested...

 

[Wilson]

I have never found homemade concoctions to be very effective. Insecticidal Soap is not soap and most often is organic in nature. I would suggest seeing you have a sprayer to get a concentrate as it is far less expensive and mix your own.

Grimmy

I second what Grimmy says, I bought a bottle of Malathion concentrate, cheap. With this I have killed whatever pests arrive, and no adverse effects on trees.

 

[just.wing.it]

I second what Grimmy says, I bought a bottle of Malathion concentrate, cheap. With this I have killed whatever pests arrive, and no adverse effects on trees.

I was unaware that some -cides are "organic".... makes me feel a bit better.

 

[sorce]

Here is what I've done in the past for this species.
I mix up a bowl of water not hot not cold with dish soap. I use dawn.
Then use a spoon to scoop out just the sudsy foam. Layer the foam on all the leaves top and bottom and cover the top of the root area. Leave it alone and water as usual in a couple days.
Worked like a dream.

I do that too!

I gathered a bunch of Hawthorne seeds the other day....


Pretty tasty.

Myself....I have to stay chem free, organic or otherwise....

In order to be able to keep with Leo's "eat your bonsai" campaign.

Sorce

 

[Anthony]

Once again, insects, fungus etc. are normally signs that something is wrong at the root/soil section or in the Fukien teas
case, maybe not enough sun.

Cides, should be the last situation to turn to, even organic or otherwise.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[just.wing.it]

The pot is waaay too big and probably stays too wet in the bottom.
Popped a bamboo skewer into it to help with that.
Can't wait to get it into something smaller next year....though, from what I read, that may be a slow process....apparently Fukien's don't like root reduction either....
Jeez, what do they like?
Haha!

 

[Carol 83]

Roundup

 

[Anthony]

Actually, they are very easy to grow, and they do rest for about 2 months.
Lots of sun, light breezes, some organic material and 1/3 strength lawn fertiliser, is all we provide.
A sub tropical, that can shift to full tropical.

You may find that after 3 they get to be boring. Leaf dense and always in flower or orange fruit.

Then you move onto Sageretia t.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[petegreg]

Anthony, I tend to agree, these eco-friendly products can work well...

But when the plants are indoors, for all the season long or just for wintering, so far I haven't found the better way then go chemical, you know, the natural predators are missing.