First winter in... thrips already?

21 years ago

So, one of my gosh knows how many calamondins made it to their first winter. I have one lime from seed that lived. and my Key/ Meyer/ unknown orange trio from Gurneys (still look rough, but only one dropped one leaf since I got them!) oh and bunches of my FDs. I probably wont try to graft their skinny selves in the spring, but ill keep them growing faster inside.

Moved them indoors early to avoid the leaf drop. Misting them at least 2x daily. Watered them really thorougly with rainwater, then a shot of 1/2 strength fertlizer. the calamondin has pushed out 2 leaves since coming indoors!

the only bad thing is...?thrips? theyre skinny black, and almost look like moving haircut dust. I only saw them because they were in the drainage bin (easier to take a dishbasin upstairs to my plant window, than all the plants down to the bathtub for watering.)

I have a small fan that I just moved nearer the trees to improve airflow, and put the dishpan back with a bit of water and a touch of soap to drown any bugs it catches.

Should I spray all the citrus with mild soap and rinse? is this cheap trap going to do some good? Might these be something other than thrips? I dont see any damage (the Gurneys damaged trees still have some slightly mottled yellow leaves, but I figured this was overall stress.

the only actual insect on the trees I saw was one soil gnat (smooshed it!) thanks for any advice all!

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Comments (2)

Patty_in_Wisc
21 years ago
Wouldn't it be nice if worms would eat bugs in soil LOL?
I never heard of thrips so just looked it up. They are wingles and harmful to plants eeek. Good luck! Hope someone can help you here.
Patty
birdsnblooms
21 years ago
Garn, Thrips are one bug I've had to deal with..You can try spraying w/2 drops of dishsoap and water w/o using harsh chemicals..
I'm going to check my plant book later and see what it says about these pests. The problem is, most cures in books talk about using chemicals to rid bugs..I don't know if you want to use chemicals, or go organically..

The fan is a good idea..one reason plants get bugs is, dry, stuffy air or bringing in a plant that is infested..
You've nothing to lose by using the soapy water, so I'd go that route..How many of your trees have these bugs?

When I read this post it made me think of a problem I ha'd' this yr..I've a Hydrangea tree growing out front. While working outside last wk, I brushed up against this plant and whitefly were flying everywhere..This plant is about 10' from the front porch..Anyway, while bringing plants indoors, I noticed plants on the front porch had whitefly..I hosed them off, brought indoors, and hosed again in sink, using dish soap in the sink. The point is, that hydrangea is the cause of these pests..
So, next yr when your bring plants outside, check neighboring annuals/perrenials/trees for pests..If you can rid bugs from the main source, houseplants will be safe..Toni
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