One more question came in this week at Ask Gardenerd:
“I have large New Zealand Flax in planters on the balcony, they got white mealy buys – how can I treat it? I removed the nearby smaller plants where the bugs seemed to have invaded…but want to be sure I can save the large flax. Please help! Is there anything organic that works… the internet suggests malathion….ekkk! thanks…Beatrice”
I’m pretty sure we can save your New Zealand Flax (Phormium), Beatrice. But first, let’s make sure we have the right bug. Is this the culprit?
http://floriculture.osu.edu/archive/oct97/mealy2.html
If so, there are a few options I can offer instead of malathion:
Water – The easiest solution is to blast them with a jet spray of good old fashioned water. Done on a regular basis, you should see the problem vanish.
Ladybugs – much like aphids, mealy bugs are delicious to lady bugs. You can buy a canister of 1000 ladybugs for about $7 at most nurseries. Set them out in the garden after sunset. This helps ensure that they will stay put in the garden. Lacewings are also effective at the task.
Mealy Bug Parasites – I was reading up on other biological treatments and found these parasites that lay their eggs inside the mealy bugs. I’m not sure exactly where to find them in stores, but you might ask your nursery professional. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/citrus_mealybug_parasite.html
Insecticidal Soap – Like many insects that hang around the dark, underbelly of plants, insecticidal soaps work really well to smother and eliminate them. Organic versions of insecticidal soaps are available at Gardens Alive, or you can make your own:
https://www.hunker.com/13721075/easy-ways-to-combat-bugs-ants-and-insects-at-home
You will probably need to apply every week to ten days to see results.
You also might want to feed your plant with kelp emulsion or fish emulsion to boost plant vitality.
Try these out and see if it works for you. Thanks for writing in.
