AFRICAN VIOLET CONTENT
 It seems as though we should have some african violet content in an african violet newsletter so here goes. I found this chart in one of my books here at home and thought it might come in handy for some of you at the list.

 
Here are a few new additions to my collection.  I am very happy with them
AcasPinkCloud.jpg (64726 bytes) OptEverLove.jpg (72378 bytes) OptEverGrace.jpg (60151 bytes) OptEverPraise.jpg (64444 bytes) OptEverRejoice.jpg (75889 bytes) AlamoFrills.jpg (79045 bytes)
aca's pink cloud Opt. Ever Love Opt. Ever Grace Opt. Ever Praise Opt. Ever Rejoice   Alamo Frills
    
    
     

Mealy Bugs

 taken from the book   "Insect and Mite Pests of African Violets"  by Charles L. Cole 
Soil mealy bugs are not hard to kill. Several insecticides are very effective on mealy bugs. However, Killing mealy bugs and controlling an infestation are 2 different things. If infestations are to be controlled growers must be familiar with the life history and habits of the pest. They must use an effective pesticide, and employ the proper treatment techniques.

the techniques are used when treating for soil mealy bugs are extremely important. Once a grower is familiar with the facts involved they can develop a technique which is more likely to give the desired control. some important facts to remember are:

1) Thorough coverage is a necessity. Research has shown that thorough coverage is best achieved when insecticides are applied as a soil drench.

2) Soil mealy bugs are mobile. They will seek out untreated areas in the root ball. 

3) If treated from below with the insecticide solution being absorbed into the root ball, the mealybugs will move up, ahead of the solution. To avoid the insecticide they will crawl on to the foliage or rim of the pot and remain there until the insecticide is no longer toxic to them. 

4) If the root ball is too wet, containing too much water, the insecticide is diluted when applied and may fail to reach all areas of the root ball. 

5) If the root ball is too dry when treated, mealy bugs will migrate to dry, hydrophobic areas which do not take up the insecticide. They can be found clumped in these areas until the insecticide is no longer effective. 

6) Mealy bugs are coated with a waxy material and will float on an aqueous solution, even though it contains insecticide. By this means many may be washed form a plant to untreated areas. 

For best results plants should be treated when not too wet and not too dry. The soil should be free of excess moisture but still slightly moist to the touch.

Plants to be treated should be placed in a container which will hold water, such as a pot, tub or tray. A drench should be applied from the tip with the soil surface and crown of the plant thoroughly covered. Enough solution should be applied so that an excess will drain into the container below. Plants should be left standing in the excess solution for 2-4hours. This allows the plant to soak up the solution, wet and dry areas and eliminate air pockets that might remain in the root ball. Plants should be drained for 24 - 36 hours and then returned to their normal cultural care. 

Plants being "wick" watered or plants on capillary mats should be allowed to dry to the desired moisture level prior to treatment. Also they should be held for 24- 36 hours after treatment before they are returned to their automatic watering system. This prevents a dilution of the insecticide and gives it tome to kill the mealy bugs. 

When soil mealy bug infestations are heavy and have spread throughout a culture additional action must be taken to assure control. In this situation a premise treatment needs to be applied. All containers, floral carts, shelves, greenhouse benches, and other equipment should be treated with a n approved insecticide. Heavily infested capillary mats should be treated, sterilized or destroyed.

Soil mealy bugs need live roots upon which to live. Mealy bugs can exist for months in old used soil containing live roots. If potting soil is to be reused it must be sterilized by steam or other methods. Good sterile potting soil or peat that has no living roots in it is not a likely source of mealy bug infestations.