Ok Jeff, this will teach you to look at strange flowers. What would your wife, err what would your main violet think?

They're insidious ...

Thrips ... always more than one. You can get Avid or you can get Phantom. Avid has a longer shelf life, Phantom - 3 years. You can as well spray your whole collection.

Yes - there are billions of them outside. They can travel on your clothes.

Yeah Irina. This will be my third go round with them little rascals. I have Avid and will probably do a once a week for three week regimen for the entire bunch. I am a little surprised because just like you said, theres always more than one and so far that is the only one I can find.

I did a close inspection of every single plant and can't find any additional thrips or telltale signs of them, not even on the thrip magnets. I am going to keep a sharp eye out but in my mind, I know they're there!

I am sure there is more and there are eggs somewhere as well. You wish that the lonely thrips was male... The life expectancy of the adult thrips (one thrips is also a thrips) is not that long - but before croaking - they probably put hundreds of eggs. Your infestation is very recent... and Avid treatment will stop it very early.

Good Job, Jeff the Vigilant!

Go get 'em Jeff! And good luck because you found them very early! Rosie

Just spray... and be done. Waiting for the other shoe to drop = waste of time.

Gone for the weekend. Spraying now in progress.

5 more days until final thrip spraying.

The down side is that the plant stands really look forlorn without their colorful flowers. The up side is that the plants really seem to like the break in flower making and they don't seem to mind the weekly shower at all. The leaves are really coming on with variegation rates increasing.

There's a silver lining in every cloud, even this thrip cloud!

Glad it is working out so far Jeff! Good luck and keep us posted! Rosie

THRIPS, NOT THRIP!!!!! One thrips is thrips and 5 thrips are thrips too!!!

Good Job, Jeff!

Yeah, I know it's Thrips but for whatever reason, it doesn't sound right and so my internal spell checker takes over.

Hopefully I will not have occasion to have to spell that word again for a while.

Hope so too. Do not bring cut flowers in a house.

Awww, we've been mean enough to Jeff. Just think how beautiful they will all be when you let them flower again after their vacation.

Yes, I have gotten almost militant on my "thrips" rules around here. I have started brushing off my shirt and pants before I go in the house if I have been out in the woods. Definitely, no plant matter of any type that hasn't been cleared in the isolation room.

Somehow, I have got to figure that living out in the middle of the woods will probably provide me with some future thrips bouts.

Did you know that the original name for just one of these bugs is a thrip but because nobody has ever seen just one, they just called them thrips!

Just kidding!

It's sorta like lice....other than as an insult to a man, have you ever heard anyone say I have a louse?

We need to pick on Jeff a bit - he is progressing so nicely - his growing skills improve by an hour - he will achieve the perfection - and move on to something else. Start growing saltwater fish.

It is interesting while you are learning - and finally you got it right - then you need to up the challenge- growing to show, hybridizing, growing gesneriads...

Or crossing thrips with lice...

I.

Pretty funny Irina. I hope to one day have a grip on growing these plants. I don't know that Ill live long enough to get to the point where you and a few others are here.

Just like my little old grandma friend says when I start to think I know something about these. She says "I may have taught you everything you know but I didn't teach you everything I know."

Still a long way to go!

Lol, love that saying...

Jeff,,,are you implying we are OLD???? lol.

"and then one day soon, when you lose your thrips,,,,that is my friend,,,,when you get your grips!" Sorry it just popped into my head and I couldn't resist! So I'll take my leave, and then I'll desist! OMG I am on a roll. I gotta get out of here! roflmbo!!! Rosie

PS. I also love grandma's saying!!!!

Jeff - your plants are are getting better and better. Your setup is everything you need. What is left - to improve your understanding a plant language.

When broccoli and radish will start talking to you in a store - and you start replying.. you can consider yourself an accomplished plant man.

I think when a person starts having conversations with vegetables, he should get tested for alzheimers.

Careful Jeff!! Irina & I have been where you are going! AND we are not ready to be autopsied just yet!!!! lol Rosie

Rosie - I am planning to live long and prosper - until my body is ready to be composted. But we are working with a grandchildren generation of growers. We need to have them trained - so in 50 years - there will be somebody to pass the idea of a wish list volume 999.

Yes, Irina I agree. And I also plan to live long and prosper! I think it will take longer than that! lol Yes, about that wish list,,,,,,,,,,Rosie

Or as one violet friend says, he has forgotten more than most of us will ever know. Joanne