Hi anyone out there that can help me with my hibiscus plants, i will gladly give you a big hug!!!! I've had these plants (indoors) since last April.. I fought with spider mites..got rid of them.and than along came the aphids...I've washed them with fresh water, sprayed with soap and water, used neem oil, after washing every 3rd to 4th day..used chemicals that are suppose to get rid of aphids, cut them right down because as soon as the blubs start, thats when i noticed them coming back. TODAY!!!! i've taken them out of the pots (thinking maybe the eggs are in the soil) washed them off really good plus their roots.Going to clean pots out with Javex?? and put new soil in... IS THIS WHAT I SHOULD DO??? OR IF THIS DOESN"T WORK ANYONE GOT ANY OTHER IDEAS?? I LOVE THESE PLANTS!!! I really don't want to loose them to some little green bug!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!
When I've had a problem with aphids on indoor plants I generally get out the Sevin dust, give the plants a good dusting (leaves top and bottom if possible) and make sure some lands on top of the soil. I usually leave it there for a good 3 - 4 weeks then put the plant in the shower to clean it off. I've never had them come back . . . Anne
Thank you for your reply!!! Sevin dust..i'm assuming you can get anywhere??? Now that I've taken them all out of their pots and replaced soil...should I add this after repotting them as well? Also the roots on some of them are quite thick?? Is it going to hurt them if I cut them??? I don't want the plants to get much bigger, as I don't have the room for them all to get as big as their suppose to.. any suggestions??? Thank you!!! Janice LoveHibiscus
You may want to try using Safer's spray on the aphids as well and keep checking every day for them as they do carry diseases one in particular is the Cucumber Mosaic Virus.
Have you considered buying a bag of Lady Bugs? Very inexpensive, better for the environment than chemicals, and the Lady Bugs will do the job very efficiently. They'll leave and find more pests to eat once the job is done, but still, better for both plant and your other plants. Most garden stores sell them and you an find them on the net for a very low cost. I haven't added a bag to my atrium in two summers and there are still enough in there to keep the aphids totally under check. But if you've already opted for some kind of poison don't waste your money on the "good ladies". You'll just kill them as well. Be sure and follow the directions and don't release them in the middle of the day. They'll just fly away.
