Hi everyone

AmandaS · White Belt Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Scotland

Have just joined up and I guess I'm thinking the same as other newbies - what a great site! Very Happy

I'm also fairly new to bonsai - so I guess I'll have all the questions and none of the answers yet! - tell me if I'm a pest!

Speaking of pests - does anyone know how to get rid of white-fly? I purchased a pomegranate and a pepper tree to add to my (increasing) collection and both have trouble from white-fly Crying or Very sad

I tried organic insecticide which killed the adults but the baby ones (grubs?) are hanging in there and are hatching Mad

I don't want to over-spray. Both are indoors at the moment as I'm not too sure if they can go outside (I live pretty much on the beach and garden backs onto the shore front)

Anyway, thanks in advance, after looking at the site and some of the messages I'm sure someone can help!

A

Quackstar84 · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 11:52 am Post subject: Re: Hi everyone

Hello AmandaS... I'm new here as well and i totally agree with you that this place is great Smile

.Wooo can i be a pest with you? Razz

heh I guess this place has been made to help people so i would not call you a pest Hun Smile

. *Blinks*... I have not got a clue how to help you Embarassed

but I'm new so that`s my excuse Laughing

... Hope some one can help you thought!....

*Jaw drops* Awww you "live" near a beach.... I totally envy you! lol. God you are so lucky but i guess you have got use to it? (How could any one get used to hearing waves when you wake up?? lol)

Any how welcome to the site and i wish you luck Smile

Darren.

Stymie · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 9:17 pm Post subject: Re: Hi everyone

Amanda.
Try spraying your trees with water to which is added a few drops of detergent. This has to be in contact with the white fly as it isn't systemic so spray underneath the leaves as well. Repeated applications will not harm the trees. The solution clogs up the breathing pores of the insects.

Dick · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:48 am Post subject: Re: Hi everyone

Hi AmandaS

Welcome to the friendliest bonsai forum in the world!!!

What Stymie told you about detergent is very good advice for white fly. They will die off pretty quickly and what's so nice is that you can spray the plant every other day if necessary. You may have to do this for about 2 weeks until the complete cycle of the insect from egg to adult has been gone through, but the detergent will take care of that bug.

Where are you located? It's a nice idea to signify that in your visible profile with a country flag.

Aske any question you may have and it will most certainly be answered by someone.

Good luck with your trees.... Wink

StaceyR · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Hi everyone

You have definitely found the friendliest bonsai site. Welcome!

bonsaimad · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Hi everyone

Hi Amanda,

Welcome to the friendliest bonsai site on the net, I don't think any of my tree's would still be alive if it wasn't for the advice I got from the people on here. anyway whereabouts in Scotland are you?, I live in Milngavie near Glasgow

regards

Scott

ThePlantDude · White Belt Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 25

hey AmandaDudette,
I don't anything (well I'm learning) about bonsai BUT i do know about other stuff. For white-fly I've got a few yellow sticky cards hanging about ... yellow attracts them and they get stuck ... works OK but i do get the occasional bee stuck on them too, You can get the bees off but it does hurt a bit when they bite you.
I also use a systemic spray occasionally when there is a serious problem. If you take the plant inside and spray it before putting it back outside then there is no risk of the spray getting at the goody-insects. Being systemic it will only kill things that suck on the plants.
Stymiedude or someone might be able to tell you a reason for not using a systemic spray though ...

Cheerio Shocked

Stymie · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Hi everyone

The treatment which I suggested isn't the only way forward but it is the friendliest to all living plants. Systemic poisons have their place but they cost more and some plants are allergic to them.
I don't use a sledge hammer when a folded newspaper will do the job. Laughing

steve · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:51 pm Post subject: Re: Hi everyone

Welcome to the site. We're here for any help you may need.

AmandaS · White Belt Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Scotland

WOW - thank you all for the fabulous welcome! This sure is the best place. I dont know if theres a word limit but i'll try respond to all

Darren - hi, nice to meet ya. living next to the beach IS great, but sometimes you know the only sound you hear is the howling sea wind trying to rip my roof off - which it does every winter!

Stymie - thanks very much for the advice, have sprayed trees, so keeping my fingers crossed here coz they're lovely trees

Dick & Scott - hi, am located on West Coast of Scotland in a wee place called Ardrossan (about 30 miles from Glasgow) and it's just the best, dont think I could live away from the sea now, especially since I got into sea fishing! (will deal with the flag Dick)

PlantDude - cheers for the advice, unfortunately (or fortunately I havent worked out which) I have cats and fish so any spraying is done outside, especially since the cats have a nasty habit of trying to eat anything green! Mad

Steve & StaceyR - thanks for the welcome, I'm sure I'll be happy here

Thanks to all Very Happy

ThePlantDude · White Belt Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 25