Root mealys...

[Stuart]

Strange stuff root mealies, after ELK I have a short trip to the Netherlands and usually buy a few trays of grafting stock from one of the wholesale nurseries. I used to save the tops and reroot them but it's not worth the space it takes up. Whenever I buy anything overseas I always take a few plants out from various parts of a tray to check for root mealy. Sometimes the plants can be really badly infested with root mealy yet the actual plants are thriving and show no signs of root mealy in their top growth. I've found this with a few of the plants I buy at ELK, a great place for picking up root mealy and I can't inspect the plants before I buy. The plants are growing well, look fine yet are full of root mealy. My treatment has been to give the roots a spray with the old type Provado that included imidacloprid, no longer available unfortunately. As Terry says, malathion and similar nerve agents are so harmful that we're not allowed to buy them for garden use but can buy them to rub them into our childrens' heads. (Not mine, they're a bit old for that). Last thought on root mealy - you can smell it! If I smell a musty sort of smell on continental plants, similar to the smell inside a mushroom shed when I used to have summer jobs as a teenager, there will be root mealy bug. Taking off all the compost and treating the roots isn't really necessary, as Terry says, a compost drench will work well.
Stuart

[Flayzerflay]

Stuart that is interesting about the smell, i always thought it smelled like 20 year old grandad aftershave

In asia they use StarkleG , purple crystal powder but i have neve never managed to get any, i suspect it's banned

[Brian]

That is interesting Stuart. Our local garden centre has had beautiful mother in laws tongue x different versions. The picture of health. Bought one for my daughter. When repotting for her I found the roots were absolutely jam packed with root mealy. It had me baffled.

[MrSlinkyDragon]

I checked the rest of my plants today, turns out i might of over watered my aloidendron... at least i got it in time! (Root prune, dusted with copper mix to kill any fungus and fresh compost and itll be alright as it has new roots growing

[Tina]

Would an overnight soak in soapy water work ?, one of my bonsai contacts does this for all new tree's to kill vine weevil grubs

[Herts Mike]

Certainly won't harm.

[Eric Williams]

I agree with cactus girl for a small infestation. Artist paint brush and meths. Best solution is to put new plants in isolation, and if possible check plants as frequently as possible. For root mealy you can dip roots in meths too. Cheers

[Stuart]

Years ago, the cure for root mealies used to be to add a few crystals of paradichlorobenzene in the bottom of a pot when repotting. I'm not sure if you can still buy it but it made the greenhouse smell like a cross between a public toilet and aftershave. I only tried it once. Not recommended.
Stuart

[Cidermanrolls]

Don’t just think root mealies come in with new purchases.
Check your outdoor pots and borders, you might be surprised to find they are your source of reinfection

[Eric Williams]

Yes, you can still buy Paradichlorobenzene in the form of mothballs, but it is recommended to be used in a closed environment only as the fumes are toxic. I agree with Stuart, not recommended lol. Cheers