Root mealys...

[habanerocat]

Don't forget @Paul D's "boil them alive" article as posted in the recent journal.

Can't link that article unfortunately, but it's mentioned here....

https://forum.bcss.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=167983

[MrSlinkyDragon]

when it comes to using Compo BI 58, what is the best dosage to use? i cant read german!

[el48tel]

Since I started using diatomaceous earth in the potting mix and on the benches root mealy bugs have been almost wiped out in my collection of around 600 plants. I know this because ive repotted 95% this year. Last year i also used Bug Ultra weevil killer twice during the summer season and will do same again this year. I do check the plants individually as often as I can all year round and any leaf mealies I use a tiny paintbrush dipped in pink meths to turn the bug black!

At what sort of percentage in the mix do you add DE?

[Cactusgirl]

I sprinkle a teaspoon of DE into each pot when repotting. I also sprinkle it around the trays the pots sit on, on the staging.

[Eric Williams]

Some growers only use mineral composts which contain no organic matter at all. This eradicates nearly all pests that live in pots. Cheers

[Ross M]

Some growers only use mineral composts which contain no organic matter at all. This eradicates nearly all pests that live in pots. Cheers

That's certainly been my experience. When repotting, the only root mealy bugs to be found were on roots which retained part (even a tiny part) of the original organic material. All other parts of the roots were completely clear.

[Phil_SK]

As someone using a 1:1 moler:grit mix, I can tell you that it definitely doesn't eradicate/prevent root mealybugs.

[Ross M]

As someone using a 1:1 moler:grit mix, I can tell you that it definitely doesn't eradicate/prevent root mealybugs.

Perhaps it depends on the nature of the material? I was using crushed Cornish granite. When I grew in pure cat litter it made no difference. Sorry I should have been more specific