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Q&A: Spray-Damaged Plants
Answer: It sounds as though your plants are suffering the effects of the insecticide you applied. Many plants are sensitive to certain chemicals and, unless the label specifically lists the plants as being tolerant to applications of the product, it's not only risky, but also illegal, to use it on them. Also, it is extremely important to dilute pesticides according to the instructions on the label. The pansies are probably beyond help, but because they grow from underground bulbs, there may be hope for the ranunculus. I'd cut the foliage back and wait to see if they produce new foliage. I'd also cut back the dead foliage on the dahlias and remove them from the garden. It's possible the tubers still have some stored energy and can produce new foliage. Before using any pesticide, identify just what is damaging plants. (In this case, it sounds like you didn't see damage, just some bugs.) Try the simplest and least toxic pest control methods first -- for example, hosing the plants down with plain water next time you encounter insects on your flowers. Water won't have such dire consequences!
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Posted Comments:
08-27-2008 06:31
farmerfanny wrote:
damaged plants
You may have used a sprayer that had herbiside residue left in it. I only use one sprayer for my Roundup. I don't use chemicals at all for bugs and don't use Roundup at home just for some of the people I help.
08-27-2008 02:11
Gael Miller wrote:
bug juice method
You don't have to use insectides on your garden to kill bad bugs. I gather as many of the bugs as possible and put them in a bucket of water to sit in in the sun for a few weeks then sprinkle this waterr around the base of the plants or spray some on the leaves. All the bugs will soon disappear. I have also used this for carpenter ants in my house and it worked. One year my strawberries had wire worms so I dumped the berries along w/works in water and used this same technique. No more worms the following year.
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