BajaNomad

Bougainvillaes

vandenberg - 10-4-2007 at 07:53 AM

I have about 20 Bougainvillaes in my yard. They have been doing great for 14 years without ever any sign of any kind of bug. So, I kind of thought they were immune to any kind of investation. However, now most all of them show severely sculpted and holed leaves. I ran a Google search and discovered that loopers and other kind of caterpillars can devastate a plant. The only control product I have is Malathion and I doubt that it will have any effect on that type of bug. Is there any one on this board who can help me and let me know what is available to fight this. I am in Loreto and am unaware of anything available here, but I may be wrong. Help would be appreciated.

Osprey - 10-4-2007 at 08:05 AM

Van, my wife sprays Fabuloso on any sick plant in our yard and they have all responded. Bugs hate Fab.

shari - 10-4-2007 at 08:10 AM

I have another bougainvillia question as well, when you want to start a plant off a cutting, when is the best time to take the cutting, then do you put it in water...for how long...till teeny roots start...I haven't had any success...maybe I had them in water too long...heeeelp.

vandenberg - 10-4-2007 at 08:18 AM

Shari,
Everyone inmy yard I started from cuttings. No matter what time of year. I never put them in water though. Used small plastic bags, both black and transparent, fill them full of dirt, stick the cutting in and make sure to keep them moist and in the shade. Out of 30 to 40 I did that way, about 20 set and sprouted. Need patience though. Takes quite a while and it's easy to get discouraged and toss them. Then, when transplanting them, make sure to let them dry out first for the new roots disturb easily.
Hope this helps.

Phil S - 10-4-2007 at 08:24 AM

Ed. Just a thought. Loreto Bay employs a horoculturist out in their 'nursery'. Perhaps they also are experiencing the same problem, and have addressed it. Also talk with the nursery fellows in town. Especially the one that has been on the side street between Juarez & Salviterra. We found him to be most helpful when Wendy had questions about her plants she had purchased from him.'See ya next month'.

vandenberg - 10-4-2007 at 08:24 AM

Osprey, If I think right and Fabuloso is kind of like a kitchen spray cleaner I would need a truckload. The plants I mentioned are tree size and need an extension ladder to get to the top off.
But maybe I'm mistaken and you can set me right.

Mexitron - 10-4-2007 at 08:24 AM

Vandenberg--if you are sure that its caterpillar/looper damage the best control is BT--Bacillus thuringiensis. It happens to be "organic" too although that's not why I'm recommending it necessarily. It goes under the trade name Dipel, Thuricide, and others.

Shari--get some IAA-Indole acetic acid--planting hormones if you can next time you're at a nursery; coat the bougainvilea root with the hormone and plant in a sandy soil mix, or better yet perlite, and make sure to keep the cuttings moist--even making a tiny greenhouse out of plastic to give extra humidity. As we're entering the cool season, it might be best to wait until spring unless you have a sunny window to keep them in.

Diver - 10-4-2007 at 08:25 AM

Shari,

Have you tried a root growth promoter like Root-tone ?
We used to dip the cut ends in this stuff and then place into sand with a little black dirt and water to saturation once. After the surface dries out, just water enough to keep a bit of moisture below the surface. They do not like to be drowned. We tried to cut/plant when they were all green and healthy and had better than 50% success.

.

shari - 10-4-2007 at 08:33 AM

So I guess I'll put root-tone and IAA on my christmas list Diver...cant' get that stuff here! gracias amigos...I guess I drowned my attempts then.

vandenberg - 10-4-2007 at 08:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
Vandenberg--if you are sure that its caterpillar/looper damage the best control is BT--Bacillus thuringiensis. It happens to be "organic" too although that's not why I'm recommending it necessarily. It goes under the trade name Dipel, Thuricide, and others.


Thanks Mex. I found that solution also on Google. The availability of those products is the question though. I was hoping for some kind of home style solution like Osprey's.
This afternoon I will try Phil's suggestion and try the LB nursery. Would be nice if LB was at least good for something.:P:P:biggrin::biggrin:

keep us posted

pacificobob - 10-4-2007 at 09:21 AM

i hope you find a good fix for the diseased plants. it would be a shame to loose them. ill look forward to hearing how it progresses. best of luck!

Mexitron - 10-4-2007 at 11:03 AM

shari--Root-tone is the trade name for IAA--same stuff! I'm sure you could find it online too and have it mailed to you--they're just little packets of powder.

backninedan - 10-4-2007 at 11:13 AM

Ed, please post if you find out something. We are having the same problem. First time in five years that something has munched them.

vandenberg - 10-4-2007 at 11:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by backninedan
Ed, please post if you find out something. We are having the same problem. First time in five years that something has munched them.


Dan and others,
Just came back from the LB nursery, like Phil recommended, and after being "forwarded" to their nursery headguy, found the Mexican guy who recognized the problem and this afternoon ,after "lonch", he'll be here to spray. A one time charge of $30.00 with multiple applications if needed.

Mexitron - 10-4-2007 at 12:13 PM

Vandenberg--what's he spraying?

vandenberg - 10-4-2007 at 12:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
Vandenberg--what's he spraying?



The stuff you mentioned in your previous post.