Green Gardener.co.uk
The natural way to keep your garden looking good
| "My citrus plants were covered in scale - these nematodes are brilliant!" Mrs P from Ely |
Scale Insect Control - Scale is difficult to spot and can easliy increase unnoticed and will affect plants both underglass and outside. Underglass, scale is very partial to citrus. Outside, keep a close eye on Japenese acers, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and box.
We have TWO controls to control Scale Insect :-
- Scale Nematodes - Spray INDOOR plants (in conservatories and geenhouses) with scale nematodes ANYTIME scale is discovered and the temp is above 16c. Move potted OUTDOOR plants inside before treating, but permanently planted OUTDOOR plants can be treated when the temperature is above 16°c.
- Soft Scale Parasites - Use these Soft Scale Parasites to control Scale Insect on larger plants underglass when the temp is ABOVE 20C/70F.
Products SB InvigoratorControl pests during the winter and spring when it is too cold to use beneficial insects (i.e. in unheated greenhouses / conservatories). There are no harmful chemical residues left behind, so beneficial insects can be introduced AS SOON as the temperatures are warm enough. Read more...  Biofume Greenhouse CandlesAs recommended by Gardeners World - Fumigate your greenhouse with these unique chemical free garlic Biofume Candles to clear greenhouse pests. Simply place in your greenhouse, light the fuse and leave overnight Read more... |
For advice, delivery instructions, delivery queries etc and orders by post, phone or email:
Green Gardener, Chandlers End, Mill Road, Stokesby, Gt Yarmouth NR29 3EY. Tel: 01493 750061 Fax: 01493 750098 Email: jon@greengardener.co.uk N/B Due to the nature of our products (i.e. living organisms), they are only available in the U.K. via this web-site. For information on products available to Eire / Europe please telephone 01493 750061 or Email / write to us. |
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Scale Insect - They are motionless and are stuck firmly to the stem and the underside of leaves (often around the veins) from which they suck the sap. They are dome shaped, about 0.6cm fully grown, light brown when young but gradually darken as they mature. They feed on the sap of the plant, leading to a yellowing of the leaves and in extreme cases total defoliation. Scale insects produce large quantities of honey dew which drips onto the lower leaves. Initially clear and sticky, it is then colonized by sooty mould (pictured left), which is unsightly and reduces the ability of the plant to produce food, leading to further weakness and loss of vigor. This mould and honeydew are the first signs of an attack. A female scale insect produces a mass of eggs i.e. between 500 and 2000! and then dies. The eggs are laid under the scale which protects them as they develop. The eggs hatch to produce a crawler stage which settles on a suitable part of the plant, starts to feed and becomes immobile. The length of the life cycle depends on temperature but at 20°c it normally takes 10 weeks from egg to adult.
Scale Nematodes - Control scale in your greenhouse or conservatory by spraying your plants with scale nematodes. Move potted outdoor plants inside before treating. Permanent outdoors plants should be treated when the temperature is above 14C. Spray with SB Invigorator if scale is present in large numbers or the temperature is below 14C. Once the temp is correct, spray infected plants with scale nematodes.
Soft Scale Parasites - This mixture of 2 different parasites (Metaphycus and Encyrtus) is very effective at controlling heavy infestations and because they can fly, they are brilliant at controlling soft scale on larger plants. They both work in the same way - simply release them into the greenhouse / concervatory from the small bottle and the tiny midges will fly off into the plants and start to lay eggs inside the scale. Instead of the scale developing another parasite emerges to carry on killing more scale. The Metaphycus parasite prefers younger scale and the Encyrtus parasite prefers the older stages, so between them they are very good at controlling soft scale. Introduce in the summer ONLY when the temperatures are 20C/70F - they will continue working until temperatures fall in the autumn. Don’t worry, the parasites are harmless to you, your children, pets and other wildlife and are so small that once released you will not notice them working away
SB Invigorator - Controls scale and used regularly will reduce fungal diseases such as mildew PLUS it contains a foliar feed to help plants recover from pest attack. SB Invigorator is not only highly effective, but it is also biodegradable and non -toxic ,which means it can be used in the garden, conservatory or in the greenhouse and on edible plants too - pick and eat straightway. It is suitable for use throughout the year. SB Invigorator is brilliant at clearing heavy infestations BEFORE introducing a natural control - see our Emergency Pest Pack below.
Emergency Scale Pest Pack - "Help, every plant is covered with scale. What should I do?" 
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