What types of insecticides are commonly used in flower and plant care?

Insecticides are commonly used chemicals for controlling agricultural pests and urban sanitary pests when caring for plants. For flower lovers who are often threatened by pests, insecticides are essential. However, there are many types of insecticides on the market today, so how can you choose a relatively effective one?

Chinese rose (details)

I. Bacterial insecticides

Bacterial insecticides are the microbial insecticides that were researched and developed earliest in China, with the largest production volume and the widest application. The varieties researched and applied include Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus cereus var. mycoides, Bacillus popilliae, and Bacillus sphaericus, among which Bacillus thuringiensis is the most representative variety. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an important insect pathogenic bacterium capable of producing parasporal crystal toxins, with a relatively broad insect host spectrum, and is a stomach-poison insecticide. Bacillus thuringiensis has varying degrees of toxic effects on many agricultural pests, including cotton bollworm, tobacco budworm, silver Y moth, tobacco cutworm, beet armyworm, black cutworm, rice leaf roller, corn borer, diamondback moth, and tea tussock moth, and has a good effect on the forest pest pine caterpillar. In addition, it can also be used to control mosquito larvae and stored-grain moth pests.

II. Fungal insecticides

Fungal insecticides are a class of insect pathogenic fungi with a relatively broad parasitic spectrum, and are contact-killing microbial insecticides. The main species researched and utilized include: Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces, Aschersonia, and Verticillium. (1) Beauveria bassiana is the fungal insecticide that has been researched the longest and applied over the largest area in China. (2) Metarhizium anisopliae is a broad-spectrum insect pathogenic fungus, and its application area for pest control abroad exceeds that of Beauveria bassiana, with control effects comparable to Beauveria bassiana.

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Friends who love growing flowers and love learning hate to see various problems with their potted plants. Below is a collection of some typical flower and plant care problems from friends, analyzed and answered one by one, so everyone can grow flowers well together.

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Problem 1

What is going on when one of the stems of a braided money tree (Pachira aquatica) becomes wilted?
Cause analysis

It is generally mostly caused by uneven watering. Whether it is a braided money tree or a five-braid money tree, each plant has its own independent root system in the soil. When watering, if you do not water evenly in a circle around the roots and soak thoroughly, but only water one plant on one side, too much water can cause death.

Solution
The money tree has underdeveloped roots and does not like too much water. Watering should follow the principle of not watering when dry, and preferring dry over wet. Once you water, be sure to use a small amount of water and water evenly in a circle around the plant's roots, rather than only watering one side. Problem 2: For a herbaceous plant in a plastic pot, what should you do if the leaves droop and wilt just two days after buying it?

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Problem 2

For a herbaceous plant in a plastic pot, what should you do if the leaves droop and wilt just two days after buying it?

Cause analysis

First, compared with woody plants, herbaceous plants have a greater demand for water. Second, because the vast majority of plastic pots used for growing flowers have very strong permeability at the bottom, and the bottom is basically net-like, this is good for the plant's aeration and growth and helps prevent root rot, but it also does not retain water easily. In addition, the weather is relatively hot now, transpiration is also high, and the plant will wilt as soon as it lacks water.

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

The picture above shows the recovery after soaking the pot due to lack of water.
Solution

When a herbaceous plant is severely short of water, the method of soaking the pot to water it can be used. Soak the bottom about 1/3 of the flower pot in water for about 10 minutes, then take it out and place it in a ventilated place, avoiding strong direct sunlight.

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Problem 3

What is the reason that a Guzmania (Guzmania lingulata) develops rotten leaves while being grown, and the roots also rot away?
Cause analysis

Summer weather has become hot, and correspondingly the frequency of watering plants will also increase. After watering, because the plant's location is itself in a poorly ventilated corner, and the doors and windows are also closed after going out, excess water cannot evaporate away. Over a long period in such a stuffy, hot, and humid environment, the leaves will turn black and rot, and too much water at the roots will affect root respiration and also cause root rot.

Solution

In hot weather, it is best to water in the morning and evening, when the water temperature is relatively close to room temperature. After watering, the environment should be kept ventilated, otherwise root rot is likely. For home plant care, if you water before going out in the morning, after watering the doors and windows are tightly closed, the room is stuffy and not ventilated, and root rot is likely. You can choose to water in the evening. For office plant care, you can choose to water in the morning, avoiding watering right before the air conditioning is turned off.

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Problem 4

For a green treasure happiness tree (Radermachera sinica) placed in a ventilated environment with scattered light, what should you do if the leaves also curl?

Cause analysis

The green treasure happiness tree has lush branches and leaves and a high demand for water, which is more obvious in hot summer temperatures. Especially in a location with good light and ventilation, at this time the green treasure happiness tree is in its peak growing season, and insufficient water supply shows on the leaves as wilting, curling, and even falling off.

Solution

When the green treasure happiness tree is in conditions with relatively good ventilation and light, it should be watered more, and each watering must be done in a circle around the plant's roots, watering every plant, soaking thoroughly, until the soil fully absorbs the water. For the water-loving green treasure happiness tree, in summer the potting soil should be kept slightly moist. When you see the leaves curl or droop, water immediately, and the leaves can also be sprayed with water frequently.

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Problem 5

What is going on when succulent leaf rot becomes very obvious in summer?

Cause analysis

In summer the temperature is too high, and plants bought just recently cannot quickly adapt to the new environment, and ventilation is also not very good, causing the lower leaves of the succulent to become soft.

Solution

Succulents are relatively more drought-tolerant, so watering must be controlled and they must not be watered too much; moreover, overwatering easily causes leggy growth. Newly bought ones can be placed in a ventilated spot at home with scattered light for care, and when watering, do not pour water on the leaves. After they adapt to the new environment, they can slowly be moved to a position with slightly stronger light. After all, succulents love light, and more sun makes them healthier, but when the temperature is high, pay attention to sun protection.

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Problem 6

The leaves of a potted plant are covered with dense insect eggs. How can pests be prevented?
Cause analysis

The white particles attached to the leaves of the Phalaenopsis in the picture above are scale insects. The single factor of rising temperature is very favorable for the reproduction of pests and diseases. In addition, a non-ventilated environment and high humidity create even more conditions for pests and diseases to reproduce.

Solution

Prevention first, combining prevention and control. First cut off the leaves with severe pest damage, then spray insecticide on the leaf surfaces. Usually pay attention to strengthening indoor ventilation; plants cannot be placed in a completely shaded environment, and plant leaves should be cleaned regularly.

Typical summer flower and plant care problems - you might be worrying about them right now?

Summer care summary
1. Summer is a period of high incidence of pests and diseases, such as small flying insects, scale insects, and pathogen infections. Daily care needs attention to humidity control, hygiene management, and regular cleaning of leaves.

2. Usually, water-loving flowers should be watered frequently, drought-loving flowers should be watered less. Herbaceous flowers have high water content and transpire quickly, so they should be watered more than woody flowers. During the peak growing season (mostly spring and summer), water frequently; during the dormant period (mostly autumn and winter), water less. Water frequently when the plant is large and the pot is small; water less when the plant is small and the pot is large. Water frequently when it is hot; water less when it is cold. Water frequently in dry weather; water less on cloudy days. Water frequently when light is good; water less when light is poor. For the same kind of plant, plastic pots need more frequent watering than ceramic pots.

3. In summer, plants lacking water and plants with too much water and no ventilation are both very common. Note that in summer it is best to water in the morning and evening, and after watering, keep the indoor air flowing. Rotten leaves and roots are generally due to too much water, while dry and withered leaves are generally due to lack of water.

Home potted plant care points to make flowers and plants thrive

I. Plants grow vigorously. Roots need water, but they also need air. If water accumulates in the potting soil for too long, the roots will suffocate and die due to lack of air. Therefore, correct watering is very important, and not allowing water accumulation is a major principle of growing flowers.

II. Let plants go dormant

Many indoor flowers are in a relatively dormant period in winter or after flowering. During this period, the water and fertilizer needed by the plants are less than during the vigorous growth period, and the required temperature is also relatively lower.

III. It is normal for some plants to go dormant after flowering

Some common potted flowers, such as cyclamen, gloxinia, and chrysanthemum, gradually have yellowing and falling leaves after flowering and enter a dormant period. This is a normal growth process of the plant, not caused by poor care.

IV. Increase air humidity

In the north, after indoor heating in winter, the air is very dry. At this time, try to increase indoor air humidity, and methods such as spraying water or mist around the plants can be used.

V. Quickly deal with problems encountered by plants

Whether you are an expert or a beginner growing flowers for the first time, you will encounter some problems. If pest damage is found, as long as it is treated in time, it will not cause great harm to the plant. However, if it is infected by a virus, treatment is more troublesome, and it should be isolated and destroyed as early as possible. Too much watering will not cause a big problem in the short term, but over time it will lead to death. Learn to recognize the early symptoms of various problems in plants. Try to avoid using pesticides to avoid indoor air pollution.

VI. Grow multiple plants together

When multiple plants are cultivated together, the plants usually grow relatively well. The ornamental effect is also good, and you should learn how to arrange various plants together.

VII. Learn to repot

After 1-2 years of potted flower cultivation, most plants gradually weaken in growth. In many cases, simply changing to a slightly larger pot can restore the plant's vitality.

VIII. Choose suitable species

Only by choosing plants suitable for the indoor environment can the plants grow luxuriantly. Even flower experts cannot make shade-loving plants grow well under a window with direct sunlight.

IX. Prepare appropriate cultivation supplies

Appropriate cultivation supplies are good helpers for growing flowers. Commonly used ones include: a watering can with a long spout and equipped with a fine nozzle; a sprayer for increasing humidity, removing dust, and controlling pests; excellent cultivation media, such as peat soil, river sand, moss, etc.; flower pots of different specifications, pot saucers, or cachepots; moss poles for climbing plants to grow on and nylon line or metal wire for tying plants; and also insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers, leaf shine agents, pruning shears, grafting knives, etc.

X. Understand the special needs of cultivated plants

Check the cultivation key points of each plant and meet the plant's growth requirements as needed.