A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Gruesome Whitefly-Fungus Problem

Help! I have a horrible something taking over my hibiscus. The gardener and horticulturist I talked to have never seen this thing before. I have some pictures. Can someone help me identify and fight this nightmare, before it takes over the world?
Thanks, Pat
Photos of Hibiscus Killer

I've seen that spiral mark before, but I can't remember what it is for sure. I think it's viral, which is bad. It might be a gonner. A lot of plants with viral disease are best destroyed.

FYI....it is all white fly....even the cotton~y stuff that will float through the air on a windy day.

Great Pictures btw....we can use these for a great reference if you don't mind.

White fly are really bad this year at least here in North San Diego County. Day before yesterday I drastically trimmed one of my huge hibiscus back....washed the remaining leaves down with the water sprayer on jet.....and will be applying a systemic solution within the next couple of days after I once again hose them down to remove as many white flies as possible while deep watering before the systemic solution is applied.

I did this 3 years ago and this is the first year I have had further problems with that giganto bush.
Catlover

The spiral is the first stage of the white fly.

Hi,
Welcome to the club......WHITE FLY CLUB...
I am in that operation right now.
My indoor tomatoes. Poinsettas. Hibiscus.
My brother gave me a spray from Jerry Baker..
Called "Concern" ......I used it and it seems to be under control.. Except the tomatoes..Too far gone.

Good Luck.

dodge

Just want to add onto what Dodge stated.......Make sure to wash the dishsoap solution off your plants after....or you might not have a plant left.

You can use a product called Pyola by Gardens Alive. It is derived from plants. You can read aout it at: www.gardensalive.com. Click on Insect Control. I have used it for several years now. Good Luck!


Ironside

I just got my internet connection back and I found all these helpful comments. I'm really glad to know it is "just" whitefly. I've cut back the hibiscus drastically, so there aren't too many leaves to treat, and I'm going to try something chemical. I was hosing it down all last summer and I just seemed to be spreading the whiteflies. I bought a systemic, but I haven't used it yet. I will try some of your less drastic solutions first.
Catlover, you are welcome to use the pictures.
Thanks for all the help!
Patty

fyi its Aleurodicus dispersus Russell aka Spiraling Whitefly. The day before you treat be sure to water the root system of your plant well.

You can use Pyola insecticide which is derived from Chrysanthemums. It is not toxic and does the job for the insects. you want to spray the plant with a product called Soap Shield. You can buy both at www.gardensalive.com. Don't spray with both products the same day. After it is under control, spray twice a week with the soap shiled. Insects don't like clean plants.

You can not say Pyola is not toxic. The natural pyrethrins are contact poisons which quickly penetrate the nerve system of the insect, making it toxic. Also natural pyrethrins are quickly detoxified by enzymes in the insect, so sometimes the insect will recover.

Now granted it is less toxic to mammals then some of the older classes of pesticides. Also it will kill beneficials, they are not immune to the effects nor is aquatic life. Pyrethrin is extremely toxic to aquatic life.


My point is i don't like people to think that just because it is natural it is not toxic and with any product that you use there are reactions. Pyrethrins are still an insecticide and should be treated with respect. I still think for homeowners pyrethrins can be a great solution for insect problems but just be smart about using them