Keep garden ‘enemies’ at bay

Indoor plants are valued for their foliage and decorative leaves are retained by the plants, at times, for years together. Continuity of healthy foliage gives the plant its value. Any damage to the sequence of foliage almost kills the effect of the plant. This is more so when the damage is more pronounced on the young emerging leaves that have to live with the plant for years to come, writes Satish Narula

INSECTS, pests and diseases are an integral part of a garden. There are ways and means to check or reduce the extent of damage. Sometimes even after pests have revealed their presence and corrective measures to check the spread of disease are taken new growth or fruits and vegetable can be obtained. The damage caused to the ornamental plants is what irks one the most.

Indoor plants are valued for their foliage and decorative leaves are retained by the plants, at times, for years together. Continuity of healthy foliage gives the plant its value. Any damage to the sequence of foliage almost kills the effect of the plant. This is more so when the damage is more pronounced on the young emerging leaves that have to live with the plant for years to come.

The problem worsens when we are not aware about the identification of the insect, the kind of damage it inflicts and at what stage is the damage maximum also a must is the exact chemical and its concentration required for an effective control.

Let us discuss a few of the most common "devils".

Mealy bug and scales appear in large numbers and are provided with a protective covering, that is a waxy substance. They appear on both young and old shoots, at the base of petioles or at terminals. The damage is tremendous as the affected plant may be devitalised, wither and die. These can be seen in crotons, begonias etc. Methyl perathion or Ekalux at two ml to a litre of water, gives an effective control. In fact, since the insect is very hardy, it is better to physically remove. This could be done with some hard brush, old tooth brush, cotton swab — with or without the use of chemical. The cotton swab could be soaked with methylated spirit or alcohol (Ethanol). With a simple touch of the swab, the insect, which does not fly, will be instantly killed. Later on you can use a tooth brush dipped in rogor solution dissolved at one ml to a litre of water to wash and remove the obstinals insects.

Do not think that what is too dangerous and poisonous for you is so for insects too. I am referring to diffenbachia, the dumb cane, a plant the sap of which can cause partial paralysis and lots of irritation in the throat. This too gets damaged by insects.

See the accompanying picture. You will find uniformly punched holes. Identical damage may also be noticed on canna, spathyphyllum etc. The insect is a wooly caterpiller, covered with hair. Spray sevin at two-and-a-half gm to a litre of water. Repeat after 10 days to a fortnight.

Other insects that are active on such plants are thrips, jassids, whitefly etc that cause upward or downward cupping and rolling of leaves. The plants have to be sprayed with malathion, rogor etc. Do not carry the spray operation indoors. While spraying, tilt the nozzle of the pump to wet the underside of the leaves too. Usually that is the place where insects hide and suck the sap.

Another hidden enemy in case of indoor plants or potted plants is chaffer beetle larva. The damage to the plant is noticed only when it starts drying without any apparent cause. Vacate the plant soil and physically remove the glistening white larva with brown head and do repotting. You can use chlorphriphos at one ml to a litre of water.

This feature was published on November 21, 1999