Pre-emptive approach to Boisduval scale

[ArronOB]

One thing I’ve always wondered about systemics is how long they actually remain active in a plants system for?

For example, if I give a plant 3 shots of confidor two weeks apart, will it remain active for days? Weeks? Years?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by ArronOB

One thing I’ve always wondered about systemics is how long they actually remain active in a plants system for?

For example, if I give a plant 3 shots of confidor two weeks apart, will it remain active for days? Weeks? Years?

Hard to know, since it is uncertain how much ends up in the "system" in the first place. That may vary depending on whether or not he roots/growth are actively growing at the time. I suspect the best systemic uptake is when the plant is actively growing (like the ideal repotting time) But I wonder if there is any research in that area.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by ArronOB

One thing I’ve always wondered about systemics is how long they actually remain active in a plants system for?

For example, if I give a plant 3 shots of confidor two weeks apart, will it remain active for days? Weeks? Years?

A reasonable question, and you can probably get an answer by e-mailing the manufacturer.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

A reasonable question, and you can probably get an answer by e-mailing the manufacturer.

That assumes the manufacturer has any knowledge of orchids!

Systemic insecticides do not penetrate the plant and stay the same chemistry; it is actually the plants' metabolites of the insecticide that stay present.

Most insecticides only kill adults, and the idea behind systemics is not to provide long term protection, but to kill newly-maturing adults that weren't killed with the initial spray. Read product labels, but most will recommend three treatments at 7-10 day intervals, so that ought to give us an idea of the longevity of the systemic effectiveness.

Boisduval scale is a tough one to knock out. I had a really bad infestation once, and I ended up applying imidicloprid, acephate, and kinoprene (insect growth regulator) together, three times at one week intervals. Every plant was thoroughly soaked and the potting media saturated, with a second round applied immediately each time to ensure thorough treatment and saturation.

It worked.

[estación seca]

If you have the scale in the wild where you live, you will always have it attacking your plants. You will need to formulate a control plan rather than an elimination plan. Your local agriculture office, or university agriculture department, may be of help.

[Ray]

Part of my greenhouse insect control effort included screens over every opening, a dual, "air lock" entry door (which also saved money on heating), and a separate "quarantine area" for all new plants.