anyone tried this RSM treatent

[Tina]

Hi all
Just been browsing some cacti -etc emails and saw this treatment , has anyone used Isopropyl alcohol ?.

On mature cacti you can spray 70% isopropyl alcohol on the plant to kill
the mites but not their eggs. Water works as well, but the alcohol works
faster on large populations.
Continue the spraying every 2-3 days for about 10 days. That should kill
the mites this time. And begin keeping your greenhouse more humid.

[anders]

Not with pure isopropanol, it is difficult to find here, but I have occasionally used ethanol/isopropanol mixtures diluted with water to kill RSM and mealy bugs. I do not use more than 50%, some cacti might be damaged at higher concentrations, either by the alcohol or by impurities, I am not sure of which.

I have tried it on other common (non-succulent) plants, but they did not like it at all.

I rarely use this method today, dilute solutions of alcohol and liquid soap work at least as well for me (and they don't smell as much).

[Geoff Lovell]

Tina...isopropyl alcohol is available from chemists, some though have to order it in.
This is the active ingredient for CD cleaners only much cheaper, it is pretty strong stuff and not for the faint hearted and totally inflammable, I would want some good testimonials before I used it on my plants!!!.



Post Edited (09-05-06 17:43)

[turnipfarmer]

Hi Tina, never used the meathod you mention, i find provado aerosol excellent for the rare occasions i get the the little sods! i also find the provado aerosol does not change the appearence or hair of my plants to much.

turnip.

[Bill]

This is the stuff that's in the hand scrub at work something like 70% gel solution, probably use it anything up to a dozen times a day.

At least I know I won't get RSM LOL

[Rob]

Hi All

How have people found the neem oil treatment this year? I seem to recall 1or2 of you were going to give it a go?

I could do with an effective treatment!

[iann]

I'd love to find a way to spot them before they do any damage! Controlling them doesn't seem to be too difficult although I might try the Provado aerosol since other methods tend to mess with the wool.

[Rob]

Be aware that the provado aerosol can also kill the ink on your labels!

[turnipfarmer]

still a super product!



Post Edited (09-06-06 22:13)

[Tina]

Hi all
Should mention I don't/haven't had a problem ( fingers crossed, touch wood etc), I just thought an alconol based product should be quite clean & not cause problems with matting & leave any nasty smells (I still have some of the banned substance in reserve) :~).

My greenhouse is probably too damp for the RSM to like it because of all my succulents, which should be a bonus