Re: scale insects
dave evans (T442119@RUTADMIN.RUTGERS.EDU)
Tue, 31 Jan 95 03:01 EST
> I've got an infestation of scale insects on my Nepenthes X
> 'coccinea', and despite picking them off by hand several times they
> keep returning. Anyone know if it's safe to use an emulsion or meths
> on Neps or should I just carry on trying to manually remove them? I
> just hope they don't spread to my other plants...
>
> On a different note, I've built a terrarium fitted with those
> low-energy fluorescent bulbs that are being marketed as replacements
> for regular incandescent bulbs - ( 23W bulbs producing 1500 lumen, )
> and I'm trying it out with some surplus Drosera and Dionaea ( ~6000
> lux on a 16 hour cycle. ) I'll post a progress report in a few weeks /
> months when the plants have adjusted - I don't know what the spectrum is
> like, but any deficiencies should show up by then. They're a hell of
> a lot cheaper than grow bulbs so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Anyone
> else ever tried these?
>
> Happy growing,
>
> Peter
>
> Peter Cole | carnivor@bunyip.demon.co.uk | "It is the business of the
> Swansea, WALES | new mailbox, same account | future to be dangerous..."
Scale: I have use a product (not sure of the name) with
Di-Siston 1% systemic poison as the main ingredient on
Nepenthes. You're to mix it into the soil, a possible problem
with orcid mix, but it might work the same if placed right into
a pitcher or two. The stuff is mostly plastic (as explained to me)
and I have literally poored it onto D. capensis without harm.
Lower energy flourescents: I use these almost exclusively all my
CP's, and they work great. They seem to be a bit high in the
yellows so I try to work in a bulb with a more purple spectrum
so the plants look cooler but they don't need it.
Dave Evans