Going Nuclear on Scale
- Worm
- Rhizome
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- Location: Orange County, California
- USDA Zone: 10
Going Nuclear on Scale
My poor Ferocactus macrodiscus has been dealing with scale (same type as this internet picture) for ages now. I've tried spinosad spray and scraping with a toothbrush which works well to remove scale but doesn't keep them at bay for long. I can find a variety of other insecticides people recommend online but I'm curious to see what you all have used and whether it worked, thanks.
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- Samhain
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Re: Going Nuclear on Scale
I’ve done hot water bath for small enough plants.
15F-110F. 14” annual rainfall. 8b. 3000’
- Worm
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Re: Going Nuclear on Scale
Thanks, but how hot is too hot? I don't want to burn the roots off either.
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- Ready to Bolt
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Re: Going Nuclear on Scale
Since you tried all...Bayer systemics is left. Altman uses it.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
- Gee.S
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Re: Going Nuclear on Scale
Blast it off with water, then spray with Malathion (or some such), perhaps once every 2-3 weeks until gone. An even more important point is to reduce the plant's stress, which is probably why the infestation occurred in the first place. Happy, healthy cacti do not generally suffer scale infestations. So work out why it was unhappy and remedy as needed. Ideally, you want to get the plant healthy enough to help fight it off. And keep it off.
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".
"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
- Worm
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- Joined: Wed May 11, 2022 8:35 am
- Location: Orange County, California
- USDA Zone: 10
Re: Going Nuclear on Scale
I couldn't find any of the pesticides mentioned here, I might try again later or keep on with neem & spinosad according to Gee's method. About possible stress, the plant seems healthy in every way, good color, spine growth, and it's putting on size well. My best guess is that it's just an issue of the plant's young age and small size. With time and pampering perhaps it will resolve on its own