How should pests on Alocasia macrorrhizos (giant taro) be prevented and controlled?
Mites
That is, what is commonly called red spider mites. This is the most serious pest for Alocasia macrorrhizos. Red spider mites generally live on the underside of leaves. They not only suck the nutrients from the leaves but also spread various viruses. They greatly affect plant growth, so you must check frequently and treat immediately once discovered. You can use drugs such as miechongqing, saomanjing, and imidacloprid for treatment. Treatment with drugs such as imidacloprid.
In addition, the common pests and diseases of Alocasia macrorrhizos also include snails, scale insects, ants, earthworms, and aphids. The prevention and control methods are introduced separately below:
Snails
The shell is slightly thick, glossy, and elongated-ovate, with a shell height of 130mm and a shell width of 54mm. It has 6.5-8.0 whorls, the spire is conical, and the body whorl is swollen. Commonly, manual capture is used, or 1-2 cotton swabs with dichlorvos are inserted into the potting soil, then covered with a plastic bag, fumigated for 2 hours, and then removed.
Scale insects
The body is orange-red, with black hairs and white wax on the back. Some stick to the branches and trunks of flowers and trees, and some lie in the middle of the leaf veins on the front or back of the leaves. After sucking sap, the leaves turn yellow and fall off, and the branches shrivel. Some also adhere like cotton to the branches, trunks, fruit stalks, and other parts of flowers and trees (because there are many types of scale insects, they are not listed one by one). Commonly, a soft brush is used to gently brush them off, then diluted dichlorvos is applied; or chujiening can be used for control.
Ants
The body is relatively small and dark brown. You should all know what they look like specifically. Commonly, a cotton ball with dichlorvos is used and inserted into the holes at the bottom of the pot, or the pot is submerged in water to eliminate them.
Earthworms - the body is bilaterally symmetrical and has segmentation; they have no bones, and the body surface is covered with a thin pigmented cuticle. Commonly, a 500-fold diluted solution of deltamethrin is used to water the potting soil, or a diluted solution of superphosphate is used to drive the earthworms out of the pot.
Aphids
They are small green-yellow insects with many species, mostly occurring on the buds, tender stems, tender leaves, or flower buds of ornamental flowers. Commonly, a 3000-fold solution of 40% dimethoate emulsion is sprayed, or an 80% dichlorvos solution diluted 1000-fold with water is sprayed. When using pesticides, note that some plants are allergic to pesticides, and when using pesticides, never use them too concentrated.
For Alocasia macrorrhizos, not only pests require our attention, but diseases should also be prevented and controlled. The diseases of Alocasia macrorrhizos are reflected on the leaves. Generally, there are two kinds, one is leaf spot disease, and the other is anthracnose. Let's take a look together!
Modern flower growers embellish Suzhou-style life
“Immortal flowers and plants” have always been an important part of the “Zha Shenxian” activity. In 2015, “immortal flowers and plants” attracted many citizens and tourists to stop because they incorporated modern elements, and were exhibited as a regional highlight at Shilu Food Street, Sun Plaza, and other places. Among these “modern flower growers” full of love for horticulture, one was especially eye-catching. She is Chen Aixiang. Having graduated from an agricultural school with a major in horticulture, she has considerable insights into modern flowers and plants.
One reason flowers and plants can be loved and noticed is their beauty and the different meanings of various flowers and plants. Placing flowers and plants of different colors and forms at home can indeed be pleasing to the eye. In addition to ornamentation, modern people pay more attention to function when growing flowers and plants. Chen Aixiang said: “Modern flowers mainly have three functions. First, improving and beautifying the environment; second, improving humidity, such as Alocasia macrorrhizos and pothos; third, giving off fragrance and absorbing odors, such as lavender. In addition, different seasons have different fresh flowers. In summer, xiangsimei and platycodon are more popular.”
Chen Aixiang's “Suhui Horticulture” has been open for more than ten years. She feels lucky and satisfied to be able to run her own flower shop. Over these more than ten years, there have been more and more customers and clients. Customers who once bought flowers at her shop gradually become regulars. This is not only because the prices are fair, but also because when it comes to professional knowledge such as pests on flowers and plants, yellowing, sunlight, and water, Chen Aixiang can answer each question one by one and tell customers how to care for them. When plants are raised well and for a long time, customers are naturally happy. In recent years, vase flowers and succulents have been sought after by people, especially young people. Chen Aixiang can grasp the trends and incorporate her own creative decorative elements to give customers some guidance.
In 2015, Chen Aixiang took her flowers and plants to participate in the “Zha Shenxian” activity for the first time, integrating modern flowers and plants into traditional cultural customs. “Last year what we brought was mainly succulent potted plants. Although ‘Zha Shenxian’ is a traditional festival, more and more young people are participating now. Succulents exactly fit young people's hobbies. They sold for 15-20 yuan per box, and overall sales were quite good.” Not only did she sell fresh flowers and succulents, whenever someone came up to ask about care knowledge, Chen Aixiang could also accurately recommend flowers and plants according to the other person's needs and tell them the correct care methods.
“In order to encourage a new batch of modern flower growers, the subdistrict will continue to invite them to participate, and will especially open up space, waiving all fees such as venue fees, so that ‘immortal flowers and plants’ can also take on a modern flavor and adorn more Suzhou-style households.” said Fei Guofang, director of the Shilu Pedestrian Street Management Office.
Green ≠ Healthy: 7 Rules for Placing Plants at Home
For a long time, everyone has felt that green means healthy, and that the more “green” in the living environment, the healthier it is. So many people have tried to bring all kinds of flowers and plants into their homes. But little do they know, not all plants are suitable for growing in home rooms. Some are prone to pests, some compete with people for oxygen, and some are even poisonous. Living roomThe living room usually has a relatively large space, so some larger ornamental green plants and bouquets can be placed there. It is also relatively a lively place with people coming and going, and the air circulates relatively well, so there is no need to care too much about whether the plant's scent is irritating or whether it releases carbon dioxide. However, plants should still be chosen according to the size of the living room. If the proportion of plants is too high, there will still be the problem of increasing indoor carbon dioxide concentration.
Recommended practices:
·If the living room is large, you can buy larger potted plants such as Polyscias fruticosa and Radermachera sinica, which can also absorb dust particles in the air.
·If the area is not large, it is only recommended to place medium-sized pothos, Pachira aquatica, and orchids beside the coffee table and on the TV cabinet, which can well regulate indoor temperature and have an obvious effect on purifying the air.
·Pothos in particular can also carry out highly efficient photosynthesis in places with weak light or high carbon dioxide concentration.
·Potted Ficus microcarpa has good water transpiration and can increase indoor humidity, and has the effect of purifying toluene, carbon monoxide, and ozone. Potted coconut palm can also increase indoor humidity and has the effect of purifying benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde.
·But note that you should not place large potted plants of the cypress type, because their smell stimulates the stomach and intestines and affects appetite; Alocasia macrorrhizos, which many people like to place, is also unsuitable, because once broken it produces toxins, which is not good for health.
·Damp flower pots easily breed fungi and insects, so plants with high water requirements are not suitable for indoor placement. Bedroom
The bedroom is a place for sleep. Unlike the living room, it is not so open. Generally speaking, ventilation is not very good, and the area is not very large. Therefore, flowers and plants with a strong or irritating fragrance must never be placed there, and plants with high oxygen demand are also unsuitable, because at night they will “compete” with people for oxygen, instead causing indoor oxygen to decrease rather than increase.
Recommended practices:
·Because potted plants with soil are relatively prone to pests, for cleanliness-loving homemakers, it is still more advisable to grow hydroponic plants in the bedroom, such as pothos.
·A healthy sleep environment needs sufficient oxygen, so broadleaf plants must never be placed, because they absorb oxygen at night and their roots easily rot and breed insects. In addition, coniferous plants such as Taxus chinensis also have the problem of “competing for oxygen.” It is recommended to grow Sansevieria trifasciata. This plant, called the “vitamin of the air,” has the effect of purifying air and can also absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen at night, making it especially suitable for the bedroom.
·You can use a vase to hydroponically grow some fresh cut flower bouquets and place them in the bedroom, but avoid placing lilies, tulips, night-blooming jasmine, and orchids. For example, night-blooming jasmine releases a large amount of waste gas at night, which is bad for health. Over time, it can cause dizziness, coughing, and insomnia, and can also worsen the condition of patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. If you want to grow it, you should move it outdoors at night; rosemary and tulips can also make people dizzy; although orchids are beautiful, their fragrance, when smelled for a long time, can also make people overly excited and cause insomnia.
·When arranging bedroom plants, pay special attention to family members' allergy history. If anyone is allergic to pollen, do not place fresh cut flowers, especially lilies, platycodon, narcissus, and other flowers with exposed pollen. You can place some foliage plants, which will be safer. Balcony
The air on the balcony circulates very well, so there is no need to worry about characteristics such as whether it is poisonous or produces carbon dioxide. Also, because it is an open space, you can place some relatively large potted plants, and can even pair them with a water feature for arrangement.
Recommended practices:
·Ivy: climbing plants are very good air fresheners and also have very good purification effects on benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and others. Suitable for placement on balconies and in courtyards. They can climb walls and trellises, take up relatively little space, and conveniently create a very good environment for exercise and relaxation on the balcony. Restroom
The bathroom is difficult to ventilate, and it is relatively easy for a dark and damp environment to form, with a relatively strong odor. Therefore, you should place some green plants that purify the air, produce oxygen, and can also grow in shady places. It is best not to place fresh flowers with a strong fragrance, as they will make the odor more mixed and unpleasant.
Recommended practices:
·It is recommended to grow a clump of bamboo, because bamboo has a very strong ability to release oxygen, can also grow under conditions lacking sunlight, and has the function of purifying chlorine and ammonia.
·The bathroom is usually relatively small, so you can place some small plants that can be hung on the wall corners. Spider plants, pothos, and Sansevieria trifasciata are all very suitable, among which hydroponic plants are preferable, as they are relatively less afraid of moisture. Kitchen
Chinese kitchens are not like foreign ones. They always have heavy cooking fumes, high temperatures, and high humidity. So, similar to the bathroom, plants with good adsorption and the ability to grow in backlight are more suitable.
Recommended practices:
·It is recommended to grow ferns in the kitchen. These plants have relatively good water transpiration and can purify the air.
·Alternatively, some hydroponic spider plants can be placed on top of cabinets, taking up no space and looking very fresh. In addition, hydroponic Spathiphyllum kochii is also very suitable. It can effectively purify chemical substances in the air. Placed beside the stove, it can help remove cooking fume odors and various volatile substances. Study
Many people are used to working in the study, and books, computers, and other items are placed there, so the plants arranged in the study should preferably be able to absorb radiation and help refresh the mind. Flowers and plants with a strong scent that make people dizzy when smelled must never be placed there.
Recommended practices:
·The first recommendation is absolutely the cactus ball. Cactus balls or cacti have a very strong oxygen-producing capacity and can also absorb radiation within 1 square meter around them. They are especially suitable for placement in a study with a computer, continuously purifying the air. Of course, hydroponic plants such as pothos can also be hung in a corner of the bookshelf, taking up no space and purifying the air through highly efficient photosynthesis.
·If you want to place flowers, it is recommended to place a small bunch of daisies. Daisies have strong transpiration and can also purify harmful substances such as formaldehyde and benzene. They are suitable for placement on a writing desk, and a clump can also be placed on an office desk at work. These flowers and plants are poisonous
Do not be fooled by the fact that some flowers and plants are beautiful and pleasing to the eye; they actually contain toxins and are harmful to the human body. This is especially true for families with young children, who must be even more careful, as poisoning from accidental ingestion or accidental contact is very easy.
Oleander
The stems, leaves, and even flowers of oleander are poisonous. Smelling its scent for a long time can make people drowsy and reduce intelligence. If its milky white sap is consumed, it will cause poisoning.
Poinsettia
The white sap in its stems and leaves can irritate the skin, causing allergic redness and swelling. If the stems and leaves are accidentally eaten, there is a risk of poisoning and death.
Narcissus
Its bulb contains lycorine toxin. Accidental ingestion can cause vomiting and enteritis; the sap of the leaves and flowers can cause skin redness and swelling. Never let the sap get into the eyes.
Corn poppy
Corn poppy contains toxic alkaloids, with the fruit being the most toxic. If accidentally eaten, it will cause poisoning of the central nervous system.
Calla lily
The flower is poisonous, containing large amounts of calcium oxalate crystals and alkaloids, among others. Accidental ingestion can cause symptoms of poisoning such as coma.
Bauhinia flower
If people are exposed too long to the pollen it releases, it can induce asthma or worsen coughing symptoms.
Mimosa
It contains mimosine. Too much contact with this toxin can cause sparse eyebrows, yellowing hair, and even hair loss. Therefore, do not fiddle with it too much with your fingers.
Dieffenbachia
The leaves contain oxalic acid and asparagine. Accidental ingestion can cause pain in the mouth, throat, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract, and in severe cases damage the vocal cords, making the voice hoarse.
Chinese rose
The rich fragrance it releases can make some people suddenly feel chest tightness and discomfort and difficulty breathing after smelling it.
Lily
If its fragrance is smelled for too long, it can overly excite the human central nervous system and cause insomnia.
Hydrangea
If the microparticles it releases come into contact with people, they can cause itching of the skin in some individuals.