CHECK INSECTS IN THE FERNERY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 804, 26 October 1929, Page 30

CHECK INSECTS IN THE FERNERY

Maidenhair ferns, especially the young fronds, are being attacked by these destructive green aphids. They are easily controlled by the nicotine sulphate spray, loz to 5 gallons water, add a little soapy water to this. Scales on Palms, Aspidistras, Etc. —lt is now a good time to spray 'against these destructive scale insects, which cover the leaves and turn them brown. Use starch spray and spray on a sunny day. Let the starch remain on the foliage for several days, and then syringe or hose off. It can also be washed off with a fine rose on a watering can. Slaters or Woodlice. —The cold weather is favourable to the spread of these pests. They do much damage in glasshouses and ferneries to plants of all sorts, and are particularly partial to the young fronds of ferns. Use calcium arsenate baits. Mealy Bug on Coleus, Orchids and Rex Begonias. —The mealy-looking insects seem more numerous than usual at the present time. Spray with nicotine sulphate or Black Leaf •?0. Benzole emulsion, lib to 5 gallons of spray, is also recommended. Aleuroids (Closely Allied to Scale Insects). —These are often found on the leaves of orchids either in a cool house or hot house. They cluster among the leaves of the plants close to the base, and by sucking out the sap, causing the leaves to turn yellow and die. Spray same as for mealy bug. Black Thrips on Ferns. —These very destructive insects are still in fairly large numbers in glasshouses or bush-houses. They attack Fish-bone Ferns (Lomarias), tree ferns and many others. The insects are usually found on the underside of the leaves. Spray same as for mealy bug.