| "..............but I am not going to run any one of my over 50+ plants for an identification of a bug. I want it dead regardless. "
Three things about this response....first, all problem solving follows the same format. Identify the problem, identify appropriate responses, pick a possible response and apply it properly, and measure the response of the problem to the cure. If it fails, go back to step two (or step one if you did it wrong). Guessing what the problem might be is playing roulette and in the long run will result in losing your behind in the game because you delay fixing the problem and/or the cure makes it worse.
Second point...the goal should be to learn to identify the problem yourself and not have to seek outside help in most cases. However, achieving that is beyond any single persons ability and especially someone new to horticulture. You do learn as you go, but we wouldn't need doctors if we could always do it ourselves.
Third...I can identify with your "I just want it dead" remark. The problem is that you do not know how to get it dead unless you know what you're killing. True there are many broad spectrum insecticides, but they are not necessarily useful for all pests and all stages of all pests. So you need to know what you want to kill and the proper protocol for doing so. For example...if you have spider mites, they won't respond successfully to most common insecticides and require either miticides that kill all life stages or a long protocol.
My point was and is this...the nice person who made the original post described her problem (in my words) as aphids hiding in the flowers. I tried to be gentle in pointing out that aphids are not likely to be hiding in the flowers. That is not how aphids feed and behave. I suggested the person get some help because they clearly were not able to identify their problem at this point.
Orchidementia...could you tell me where I mentioned you or your recipe? I think you're reacting to something that never happened.  |