mealies on my Sedirea japonica

[camille1585]

I have been so busy the last month that I didn't do my routine weekly check over of my plants. Now I regret it. My Sedirea japonica 'minmaru' is absolutely full of mealies! They are even in the roots. I tried dabbing with rubbing acohol, but the q-tip is just way to big to get between the leaves of the tiny plant! I've also been removing the mealies with the tip of a mecanical pencil. What can I do to get down in the crevises? Is it safe to spray/soak the entire plant with rubbing alcohol (at what dilution)? Any other solutions? Please help me, I adore this little orchid!

[cb977]

Camille, I use a sprayer with a 50/50 mix of alcohol and 409 cleaner. Spray and wipe off...for the stuff down in the leaves I use a curved dental tool but you could probably use a toothpick...gently

[whygreenberg]

Spraying should be totally fine. I use 1 cup water to 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, and a 1/2 tsp of Ivory dish soap for crawlies.

[susiep]

Camile, I use the alcohol without diluting it and haven't had any problems. I use a small soft paintbrush (from my arts and crafts box) to get the alcohol down in the crevices and to remove the bugs. It is much more gentle and gets in the very tightest places without doing any damage.

[cb977]

That's a good idea, Susie!

[Shirley]

I'm with SusieP on this one. I had been managing with Q tips for many years when an orchid friend suggested a small pointy artist's brush. This works great! Of course, if you have a real infestation, a brush would take too long and then I guess a spray is the way to go.

[camille1585]

Thanks for all the ideas! I'll try with a paintbrush and an alcohol/soap/water mix, and if that doesn't work, I'll spray. Is the mix with 70 or 90% alcohol?

Originally Posted by cb977

Camille, I use a sprayer with a 50/50 mix of alcohol and 409 cleaner. Spray and wipe off...for the stuff down in the leaves I use a curved dental tool but you could probably use a toothpick...gently

Sue, what is 409 cleaner?

[Dorothy]

Allow me to step in for Sue -
Here is Formula 409 - Formula 409
Here is some interesting data on it - Household Products Database - Health and Safety Information on Household Products

[Gin]

If you don't have a soft small brush a feather also works well .. Gin

[cb977]

Originally Posted by Gin

If you don't have a soft small brush a feather also works well .. Gin

Ummm...where do you get your feathers, Gin?