REVIEW: $140 “miracle” pest treatment - But is it worth it?

[@leannhillier-jv8wf]

Well for once your video saved me money! 😊. Usually I see your Hoya and my wishlist grows! Now the money you saved me I can buy a plant! 😂😂 thanks Dave!

[@soberplantguy]

It cost me $115 to learn that ... it didn't work, at least didn't work well enough 😅 Yes, coulda bought some plants with that cash.........

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Dave has saved me HUNDREDS in the relatively short time I’ve been blessed with the awareness of his almighty existence. All hail Dave

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa 9/10. Nicely done, my friend 😁

[@shirleycovey7309]

Thanks for the helpful more inexpensive treatment, Dave. I will remember this!

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

It’s works so well Shirley!

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa I used to think that Dr Woods was SOOO expensive at $15/bottle. Boy those were the days..........

[@HeatherOatmeal]

I used peroxide the same way. I'm glad it worked for you, too! Part of me was questioning the reality of it since nobody else was talking about it 😵‍💫😆

[@soberplantguy]

You could have saved me $115 🤣😂🤣

[@HeatherOatmeal]

@@soberplantguy I didn't knoooowwwww 😅😭🥺😆

[@kelsey9384]

Thanks for all the knowledge you share! And money saved!

[@soberplantguy]

I’m glad I spent the money and not you!

[@kelsey9384]

@@soberplantguy 😂😂

[@soberplantguy]

Thanks for clarifying my video in other peoples' comments. Helps me, AND helps the channel...!!

[@ameliamurphy8416]

Thank you! After your greenhouse video and you mentioned that you added Pure Crop to your spray, I looked it up and was trying to figure out if I should spend the money. I was so on the fence. I think for now I’ll keep to our regular pest spray and use hydrogen peroxide as needed. Thank you, thank you for the update as that is quite a bit of money for me. 😊

[@soberplantguy]

It's weird to have spent that much money, and be relieved that it didn't work all that great 🤣 Just saving future cash for plants, I suppose 😁

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguyI was using Azamax for spider mites at something like $50 per bottle (which treated half of my collection at the time).

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa I assume that it worked fantastically, though. Word around the campfire is that it's the bees knees.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy yes. Very well.

[@mn4169]

Like how you show and slowly talk us through the problem and treatment. Not have meely bugs, but those awful small irritating flies. Set in meat eating plants, and they keep them under controll. So thanks Dave for another great video. Great start to the day.❤❤

[@soberplantguy]

That's really nice to hear! I'm not sure which plants attract gnats and they stick on there like glue--but I can report that it looks disgusting 🤣😂🤣

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Thanks! (For continuing to be ridiculously good looking)

[@soberplantguy]

Again?? Thank you! In the future, just that complement is money in the bank! (But no, seriously, thank you for the actual money)

[@pamgustaveson3735]

Dave. Thank you for another terrific video. I always learn so much from them and appreciate the time and energy you put into them.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

💚

[@soberplantguy]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! It's just one person's experience, of course. But that's all I have that's worth reporting on 😆

[@RondaThomson]

Jotted this in my "Dave Sayz" book for future reference Thanks for heads up

[@soberplantguy]

Uh oh. I'm in writing 😆

[@paxleidig5327]

@@RondaThomson I know what you mean. I tell people Dave is my "Hoya Mentor".

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Oh my golly. I’m taking “Dave Sayz.” It will be mine now! Let’s make a Tshirt- I’ll design it.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Wait! Dave! Can I make your merch?!

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

It will be weird. And I’ll require a large commission

[@karenquinn8166]

Thanks Dave just saved myself some money. Appreciate your hard work .

[@soberplantguy]

Thank you! It means a lot ☺

[@amyheckathorn7172]

That podcast episode talking about root mealies scared 💩 out of me! I think about it every week. I bought a microscope to check my plants. So far, so good. He inadvertently made a good argument to keep your plant collection small and manageable.

[@soberplantguy]

I think the better message is to not share the water. That’s how he infected the entire collection 😬

[@amyheckathorn7172]

@@soberplantguy He shared water because his collection was so large and he would spend a ton on fertilizer. I would spend the money or cut back on plants! Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. Now I want to go home and check my plants. I’ve got the heeby-jeebies just thinking about them.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@amyheckathorn7172😂😅

[@soberplantguy]

@@amyheckathorn7172 Here's a surprising fact about Doug (from Doug himself): he doesn't have a large collection. He gets rid of most of his plants after they bloom. He used to chuck them over the river bank, but they got too valuable 🤣 I have a good friend who has thousands of plants for her business, and she's never had root mealies. You just never know.

[@soniacosgrove]

This was a fantastic video! I'm so sorry you went through this. However, I appreciate the lesson you gave us from it. How much simpler can it get than hydrogen peroxide!? Simple, effective and affordable. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

💚

[@soberplantguy]

I guess it would have been not fun to start with the dirt cheap remedy 🤣😂🤣

[@soniacosgrove]

😂😂😂​@@soberplantguy

[@shirleyzoellner807]

THANK YOU!! A million times

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

🤗

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa Hi, H..! I'm not going to respond to every emoji you're sending so that I don't fill your inbox--but thank you!

[@soberplantguy]

Absolutey! Wouldn't it have been lame if I'd started with the cheap remedy first? 🤣

[@marierejoiceinjesus3846]

I appreciate you sharing even if your experience is not the same as another Hoya person we all love. Figuring things out together is important.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

So true!!!

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

I love this community

[@soberplantguy]

I've only gotten a couple thumbs down on this video, which isn't too abnormal. I can tell you for true: no one was more disappointed with finding out that this hadn't worked 100% than I was when I found that thriving community of root mealies in those two plants. Argh! For someone else, it might be the Golden Ticket.

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa Same. Some creators get such snarky comments (perhaps because they have a much larger audience?).

[@SSaaNNddYY77]

Thank you for a very informative video on root mealybugs and treatment. I have wanted to compliment your Hosier since seeing your first video. Love it! My grandma had one and I often wonder what happened to it.

[@soberplantguy]

Thank you so much! Our favorite thrift store find 😊

[@rebeccahenderson7761]

Excellent info, thanks ... from Canada. Much appreciated.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

🤗

[@soberplantguy]

Hi, Rebecca! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@helencriddle3651]

Very interesting, definitely worth a try 👍

[@soberplantguy]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguyI enjoy your level of attractiveness

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa This is about a 6/10 I'm sorry to say. Harlie G wouldn't even bother to heart this one 🙃

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy I knew it instantly but it is done

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Very basic b*tch level compliment

[@paxleidig5327]

Another video already!? 😮😮. Yay!🎉🎉

[@soberplantguy]

I'm glad that you're excited 😁

[@paxleidig5327]

You've been a busy guy! Here's to a prolific season of videos!

[@soberplantguy]

@@paxleidig5327 I'm probably out of ideas now 🤭

[@paxleidig5327]

I'll put my thinking cap back on. I'd still like to see something on how you research a potential plant. Accession (SP?) numbers, International Hoya Society etc...

[@paxleidig5327]

I'd include comments about which KZbin channel creators you find informative and "s**t like that there.' as we say 'roun' cheh'ya".

[@lorettastyles5523]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

🤗

[@soberplantguy]

So glad that you enjoyed it! ☺

[@carolinebaines8735]

I haven't had root mealies, but I have had great success with Azamax for everything else. I use 1oz per gallon during an active outbreak and the 1/2 oz per gallon for a few weeks afterward. I just got done treating my entire collection for 2 months and I have some ladybugs coming this week to keep everything in check. BTW, I bought some ladybugs in April and I found a couple of them still alive this week. Amazing creatures.

[@soberplantguy]

I’ve had such good luck with the diy spray that until this I haven’t needed to look any further. But, I’ve heard good things about that product snd will definitely keep it in mind!

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguyit does work! Especially for people who are not as on their game due to having too many plants… your pest tx consistency is what makes your diy effective

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa Works sooo well. I'm not usually one to jump on hot trends like PC1, but now I'm $114 poorer for the experiment 😂

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy something about missing every swing you don’t take right… 🤣

[@Timahra-Lee]

Very informative video! I hate mealy bugs, i use a mixture of alcohol, water, and mineral oil to treat my plants. But now that i know you can also use peroxide, i may try this method as well. Thanks!

[@soberplantguy]

Thanks for the nice comment! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@passionateplantperson]

Very useful information! Thank you 😊

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

💚

[@soberplantguy]

I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm a little surprised, given the enormous popularity of this product at the minute, that I haven't found some people to annoy with my (soft) conclusions. Still a lot of comments to got through, though 😅

[@passionateplantperson]

@@soberplantguy so helpful I shared on Facebook and Instagram

[@kimmatlock2096]

This was so helpful. I hope I never experience root mealy bugs. What kind of magnifying glass do you use. So do you think the peroxide will also kill the eggs along with the adults? Great Great content. Thank you for your honest feedback. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@soberplantguy]

I’m absolutely certain that it did. Unfortunately I wasn’t clear that I flushed that merillii weeks ago. Plenty of time to hatch. I sure wasn’t amused to see them in your plant 😡 But as you saw, she wasn’t phased 😀

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

🤗

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa Hello, H 😀

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy hello Mr. Purple

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy I am sending your package tomorrow 🤗

[@maryhughes4856]

I haven’t had any root mealies yet 🤞🏻. I’m dealing with those darn flat mites 🤬. Pure crop 1 has been a lifesaver for me so far. I used the sprayer on my kitchen sink to try to remove the adults as much as possible. I then went in with my pure crop 1. I’m on week 2 of treatment and can barely find any signs that they were there. I’m bummed to hear it didn’t work for the root mealies. I will definitely skip straight to peroxide if they ever pop up for me. Thanks for another great video!

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

💚

[@soberplantguy]

Yes, definitely a valuable mite slayer! Mites have about no resistance to a good spraying, but the eggs stick like glue in the tiniest crevices. So don't give up to soon!!! (There's your unsolicited advice for today--apologies). Cheers, and be well

[@maryhughes4856]

@@soberplantguy they do stick like crazy! I’ve got a toothbrush out scrubbing and my husband just looks at me like I’m crazy 🤪

[@wootlesswocks]

I will say that when I first got into plants my Hoyas were essentially fossils, doing nothing. I began treating for flat mites and boom, growth points. I treat my plants regularly now with foliar sprays as a preventative measure. So far so good , I’ve just switched from miticide to a canola oil based spray with petherin? (I probably mangled that) because it doesn’t smell as bad . Wish me luck 🍀!

[@kelsey9384]

@@wootlesswocks good luck!

[@moiraslater8526]

Pyrethrine, I use it too.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

🍀

[@soberplantguy]

You've contributed enough that at this point I can conclude that you don't need luck 😁 I'm going to look into this--I've not heard of it before. Thank you!

[@wootlesswocks]

@@moiraslater8526 oh I'm glad that you fixed that , I knew I was close

[@phf3238]

PureCrop1 recommended 7.5 tsp/gal 37 ml/gal as a drench. Doug Chamberlain soaked his plants in their pots. He has a video on this and his experience with root mealies. I haven’t had them yet so can’t confirm. Also, I understand that you should use food grade hydrogen peroxide. ❤ So glad you saved that lovely prop. ❤

[@soberplantguy]

I just followed the directions. Not sure how many teaspoons that is. I did mention his video-he was quite thrilled 😁

[@phf3238]

@@soberplantguyThere are different ways of doing things to accomplish the same goal. Plant care is only one example. I was only sharing the information I have. I’ll bet Doug was thrilled to have his name mentioned. Also a great grower of Hoyas. 😮😮

[@daveoverstreet5148]

For sure! I wasn’t being sarcastic. I just really have no idea how the measurement works out in teaspoons. Someone else mentioned measuring it out in ounces, and I was like, Now how would I go about doing that ?? 🤣

[@phf3238]

@@daveoverstreet5148 It comes out to 7.5 tsp. Don’t get me wrong as I was just sharing the information I have and, you have been very helpful and given sensible advice and even given us a smile or two during the time you have been on KZbin. Much appreciated!

[@heatherstephens9295]

Thanks Dave 👍👍

[@soberplantguy]

You bet! Always great to see you here 😊

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

💚

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa The algorithm thanks you for your service 😁 (As do I....)

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy As a former Sailor (I like saying it 😆), it’s truly nothing. I love ya! 🤗

[@Wubblyt]

I recommend cover pots as well, it takes them longer to spread to other plants when using cover pots (when you dont know you have them yet and/or for treated plants just in case). They sell hydrogen peroxide in small 100ml bottles here…. For over 1 euro each.. And only allow to buy 2 at a time… its sort of expensive… and all the small plastic bottles are terrible for the environment… Apparently its used to make bombs 😅 It does work though, even diluted further as long as all the roots are under water for a while (and theres no plant nearby that still has it after you put the plant back) Because of root mealies I prefer buying cuttings. Every time I bought a Hoya from a shop or private seller it ended up with visible root mealies after a couple of months (I hope the sellers didn’t know they had them). If I am ever to buy a Hoya as a plant again it will get a treatment and fresh soil straight away. Also.. due to the lifecycle of normal mealies…. If you check and pick them often enough (once a week or more frequent) they can be eradicated without spraying the whole plant If anyone really has the time/energy/patience for that is another matter 😉

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Nope. Have the time, I do not 😂

[@soberplantguy]

As I've mentioned, oh, a hundred times, I (almost) always, always, always repot straight away--especially so with a plant from someone I don't know. And here we are. I only implied it in the video, I guess, but of course I did not pull the plant out. Argh!!! I'll keep diluting it mind. I think I had diluted mine wayyy too much. Someone in the comments mentioned that it's recommended to only use food grade peroxide, but, uh, no thank you. Far too expensive--plus, why start now? 🤣 If I'm willing to use plain old peroxide directly onto my own open wound, the plants can suck it up 😆

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa I have a long list of things I probably have time for, but.......

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy wow, so brave

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy well, thank you for continuing to spend time wasting time with me at 2:44 am

[@GreenWitch1]

Wow! Dave, I did not know that! Thank you so much. Ive never had a pest problem, so I’m sure I’m due for one.

[@soberplantguy]

😂 Probably unavoidable at some point….

[@dianemottram3060]

Thank you for the demonstration of the drenching the roots. I'll certainly be using the peroxide. But it will have to wait a while as the Hurricanes have reprioritized daily life here in Florida.

[@soberplantguy]

Oh, gosh, of course. I grew up in Florida, and lived their for many years in adulthood. I know a little bit about what you're going through. Hang in there.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Gosh, this topic really makes me feel all of the wrong tingles. Thanks, Dave.

[@soberplantguy]

Same. I was so freaking mad at myself for not repotting the plants. But also so relieved that the "outbreak" was so small. Nasty little ... buggers.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy “Outbreak: Mealy Madness,” is the name of my new band

[@BobaMilkTea19]

I read somewhere root mealies can drown. Can the root ball just be submerged in water for a few hours to drown them suckers or does that not work? 😅

[@ivalainebethune2758]

❤thank you for this video. I have it in three of my pots I thought it was mole, I repotted but it didn’t go away but now I know what to do. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@soberplantguy]

You bet! And it sure does look like mold if you don't know what you're looking at 🤢

[@anawithplants]

seeing those dead root mealies through the plastic cup gave me the chills... ptsd mealy bug trauma from the summer 😂

[@soberplantguy]

My work here is done ………….

[@ceciliapacheco6027]

Thank you so much Dave,I will use the solution peroxide love your video ❤❤❤

[@soberplantguy]

I'm headed to the dollar store today myself 😁

[@helenesolomon]

Thanks for the knowledge. Hope your problems are over.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Dave’s problems are never over 😂

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa Yeah, I keep creating more and more to keep myself busy 🤣

[@soberplantguy]

Glad you found it useful ! It was a very small, contained "outbreak," so hopefully yes, it's behind me (and the plants, of course!)

[@gingercaudill7219]

My first plant was as a little girl, a rope plant, and my rabbit ate it all up, about 50 years ago or so without telling my age lol I never thought I’d see another one until I started getting into plants in the past 3-4 years, I do have one now and I do have a very different rabbit 🐇 however the plant is hanging and the rabbit lives in a cage, a nice story to tell the grandkids!

[@soberplantguy]

Bringing it all back home!

[@kathyjenkins4067]

How do you get rid of scale bugs? Ive have had the bugs for years on my Hoyas! Would spraying with peroxide help?

[@soberplantguy]

Bonide systemic says it will slow the down (my words, essentially). The PC1 is quite effective at treating, but not eliminating them. It's a very small problem for me, on just one plant. But boy they are tough to eradicate--as in, I haven't. The spray I use with very diluted peroxide hasn't done it, either, and I'd be very careful about burning leaves with a higher concentration. Short answer: I really don't know 🤔

[@ellennovak5214]

Hi Dave. Thank you for this video. Recently I finished a two month treatment schedule for broad mites. I never did see any under a microscope, but all the signs were there. With over 150 Hoya, it was quite a task and an expensive one at that. The treatment/cleaning recipe you shared a while back is next on my list to clean off the sulfer residue. As for HP, did you rinse the roots after treating them? Were any of your treated plants large? Would you recommend doing a hydrogen dip to all newly purchased plants after a period of acclimation in quarantine?

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Following! 😊

[@soberplantguy]

Soaking the roots and leaving the plant be was part of the experiment of those two plants. I'm sure it would have been fine to rinse them: what was going to live through a peroxide dunk? But I wanted to be absolutely certain 😁 It was quite a surprise to find more root mealies after that much time watering with PC1. I had no large plants effected (the "outbreak" was very contained, fortunately), but I wouldn't hesitate to drench them if needed. Actually, I'll probably start doing a diluted version of this every so often, like many do. My gut tells me I wouldn't do it on very fragile roots systems unless I had to. That's not founded in science or experience however, and *mostly* root mealies aren't a huge problem in my part of the world. Other parts, it seems almost as common as fungus gnats.

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

@@soberplantguy I’ve ruined some fine roots doing this! No Hoyas though. I went crazy when I noticed soil mites and drenched every single pot (as one does when one has anxiety). Several deaths. Several.

[@ellennovak5214]

@@soberplantguy Got it. Thank you very much for sharing your story.

[@shadesofidaho]

That is really good to know. Too bad that Morelli is so pretty. Sorry that happened to it. I am having mealy issues and just being very watchful spray bottle in hand nightly. I think am making progress.

[@soberplantguy]

Ohhhh I have loads of the plant. In fact I just put a whole new crop in the prop box yesterday. Best of the best, really.

[@yvie925]

So informative! Would you recommend using this on occasion as a preventative?

[@soberplantguy]

I'm not going to, but others have said they do. Just cost alone is enough to deter me. But it's certainly effective on mites, for sure.

[@AuntyBlabbyRules]

Very helpful. I just bought some HP the other day. Maybe my do nothing Hoya need a look see

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

💚

[@paxleidig5327]

Why not just dip everything in peroxide once or twice a year?

[@soberplantguy]

You could. Root mealies could show up the next day, so that's kind of a long time if they've been a problem for someone. I'll be keeping a close eye on things, and probably go monthly.

[@paxleidig5327]

Gotcha.

[@Aquamarine.Aubrey]

Great video! As always, a fountain of information and knowledge! Thanks for another great video! ⛲️ ❤

[@soberplantguy]

Hey, thank you! 😊

[@lisaanglim9588]

I haven’t taken the plants out off the pot. Maybe I need to do that.

[@soberplantguy]

Not doing that, which I almost always do, is what got me here lol

[@mykale007]

Thanks!!! I recently came across a video from 5 or 6 years ago that they mentioned doing a hydrogen peroxide drench but never explained it. This helped a lot!!!! 😎😎😎😎🪴🪴🪴🪴

[@soberplantguy]

I'm really not sure why I didn't start with the cheapest solution first.... 🤣😂🤣

[@mykale007]

@@soberplantguy That’s usually how it goes!!!

[@lisaanglim9588]

Good afternoon Dave!😊

[@soberplantguy]

Well helllooooo

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

💚

[@lisaanglim9588]

Are there any chemicals in the pure crop one? Or just the two oils?

[@soberplantguy]

Nope, no chemicals whatsoever. Safe for everyone except the sap suckers 🤭

[@lisaanglim9588]

Through the cup, how do you differentiate between perlite and root mealies?

[@soberplantguy]

They are right along the root system, and very much alive.

[@Diane-ex1os]

WOW ,, Dave o boy I wish I would of waited to by the pure crop lol I got the small bottle yes to expensive 🙀😬 but I haven’t used it yet I don’t have mealy bugs 🤷🏽‍♀️ and yes I ordered it as soon as I saw The Vermont guy saying he uses it so I’ve had it for 3 weeks now and didn’t know if I should spray it on my plants for the little bugs that fly around sometimes I’ve used the Mosquito stuff solution on my plants and this has seemed to work and that’s been for awhile now. So do you think I can just spray my plants soil with the Peroxide spray once in awhile? And I guess I’ll just put the Purecrop1 away for now 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️. But as always I thank you for your advice and being honest it really helps 🐞👌🏽. 🫶from the North.

[@soberplantguy]

You'll have to do a soil drench for the fungus gnats, but boy howdy that'd be an expensive way to go about it. Last year was the year of gnats here in the Iowa, and I used mosquito bits. Cheap and effective. I have no idea what I'll do with the rest of my PC1.

[@Diane-ex1os]

Lol my sell it on EBay 🤪 no I guess I’ll use it next year on my garden plants 🌱😎Thanks Dave.

[@margimorris7360]

Hello new to your channel, Planted in Rhode Island recommend you. Thanks for doing this review. Just making sure I understand re the flat mites (which I have never had). Are you saying that PC1 is good for getting rid of them? Looking forward to exploring your channel 🌻

[@soberplantguy]

I love Rod! And yes, this is a good for mites, if expensive. Very. But, once you own it, it will go a long way. Cheers from Iowa City

[@jennivotruba4721]

So do you spray the entire plant with HP or just the soil? Will the HP burn the foliage?

[@soberplantguy]

I use this kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJbaaWuMateXhcksi=hBBew0_wyOeIhHIu And you're right, straight HP could easily damage the tissue. There's about a tablespoon or so per gallon. I spray the soil surface, let it bubble for awhile, then water as usual. Cheers 😊

[@lisaanglim9588]

Did you spray or drench the soil?

[@lisaanglim9588]

Ok question asked and answered

[@soberplantguy]

Do 'em both

[@soberplantguy]

@@lisaanglim9588 😁

[@lisaanglim9588]

I’m fighting mealies now. Pure crop may be what I need.

[@carolinebaines8735]

He said it didn't work…

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

I’m imagining you off to fight some really giant like horse sized mealies, Lisa. It’s terrifying and kinda cute! 🥰

[@deemari577]

This past Saturday, I was outside cleaning my window where the largest number of hoyas sit and looked at some of the Hoya to see if any peduncles. Lo and behold, mealies, root mealies were all over most of the hoyas😫😫😫! One by one I soaked them in warm water with a little Dawn and alcohol cleaned every nook & cranny. What a freaking task that was as these were older hoyas with many leaves... Scoured the glass vases, pots, etc. I cut away some roots, watered with hydro p, sprayed with Neem, took a deep breath, all done until... I was on laptop in another room and something made me turn towards the window. What the heck? More mealies on more Hoya! I'm flabbergasted🤬! So now I have to pull all these hoyas down every week to check!!! I'm concerned about the whitish stems on some. Might need to order potassium. Thanks for sharing! Dee, NY PS: Your rattlesnack prayer plant is beautiful!

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

I want to be you when I grow up! 😂I loved this story but also- please let’s talk about something else… 🤗 😂

[@soberplantguy]

Noooooo!!!!!! What a freaking nightmare. My "outbreak" was so contained that I'm embarrassed to call it that (at least to you 😆) As for the stems, could that be calcium buildup, or soapy residue if you use Castile soap? Not soap, Dave, duh. You've been washing the heck out of these plants. Dang it! Best of luck in wiping that buggers out !!!

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa They really are the grossest little things......

[@deeb2000]

​@@soberplantguy The stems look washed out. Might be from those buggers sucking life out of them. I'm watching everyday. Thank goodness I cleaned the window to see the backside of some of the hoyas to notice the infestation.

[@soberplantguy]

@@deeb2000 Oh, ok, got it. Yeah, I'd be as concerned as you. Here's hoping 🤞

[@njiseidou3197]

Hey Dave I have mealie bugs and I will use your formula today hopefully but have you heard anything about the Bio Advanced disease and mite control?

[@soberplantguy]

I've heard of it, but don't have any direct experience with it. Except for that tiny root mealie situation, I've not needed anything beyond the DIY spray. I'm definitely not above it though!!

[@alishascott-rogers3801]

Do you use just staright hydrogen preroxicde i always thought it needed to be diluted with water?

[@kelsey9384]

@@alishascott-rogers3801 I always have used straight HP, he did mention in the video he tried diluting it and it was not as effective! I spray the roots too with pure HP!

[@shirleycovey7309]

@@kelsey9384 So spraying the plant with straight HP doesn't do damage?

[@kelsey9384]

@@shirleycovey7309 I should elaborate some, I use a TBL of pure HP for pest treatment on the leaves along with some other ingredients, and I usually will spray the roots with pure HP if they have root rot. It’s never done any damage for my personal plants.

[@soberplantguy]

Exactly what Kelsey mentioned below. Tbs per gallon as a foliar (I use this kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJbaaWuMateXhcksi=hBBew0_wyOeIhHIu), and straight as the drench on those two plants. So many people do it that way, people who truly *know* what they're doing, that I was pretty confident that everything would be ok. But also, I just really wanted to wipe those nasty little things out.... allllll the way out 🤣

[@soberplantguy]

@@shirleycovey7309 oohhh don't do that! Straight HP is for the root drench *only.* Tbs per gallon for foliar spray (kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJbaaWuMateXhcksi=hBBew0_wyOeIhHIu)

[@lisaanglim9588]

I tried dabbing with a too and 70%alcohol. They came back in email week. This time they it drenched in alcohol and some Castille soap.

[@kelsey9384]

@@lisaanglim9588 wait what? They came back in email week? Oh boy!

[@MiscellaneousMichelle]

💚

[@soberplantguy]

Thank you!

[@lisaanglim9588]

I wonder if horticultural oil would do the same at a smaller price. But I’m going to double up on my store of hydrogen peroxide

[@ceciliapacheco6027]

Hi my gosh am trying ❤❤❤

[@shadesofidaho]

I just poured half a bottle into the pot of my Baltic Blue. If it dies then oh well. I can always get another. At Walmart today 10-24-24 Walmart had hydrogen Peroxide 32 oz for just 1.00. I usually get it there.

[@soberplantguy]

I consider it zero risk. There's no way I can keep a plant with root mealies. So either the H2O2 will work, or kill the plant, or both, but the plant is going no matter what without treatment. No way I'd risk my collection.

[@shadesofidaho]

@@soberplantguy I will check the roots later when I have had more coffee. I do not know if it had root mealies but I did keep getting a return of mealies on the upper part of the plant. So I was seeing if this would stop that. When I treat the plant I drench it in my home usual alcohol, few drops dish soap water and neem. I set it in the bath tub and just blast it.

[@giagia9974]

How many total plants did you treat with purecrop?

[@soberplantguy]

Somewhere around 400

[@giagia9974]

@@soberplantguy wait, how many infested plants? 😐 otherwise your success rate would be quite high (over 99%). I’ve been looking into H2O2 as an alternate to pc1. 3% H2O2 has hurt a few of my plants, so the dilution rate has to be at a rate to kill rm’s yet not harm roots. Some plants are more resilient that others (Merrillii) I’m trying to factor in your experience with other variables to help better inform my IPM 😊

[@soberplantguy]

@@giagia9974 There was only one area affected by root mealies, but I treated every plant and seedling that I have. So I really have no way of knowing how many may have been affected. But I did keep finding alive and well mealies *while* using PC1 (I'd never stopped), so that was why I've decided it's not for me. Of course, others will have had their own experience. Cheers from Iowa City

[@giagia9974]

@@soberplantguy thx 😊 Happy Autumn!

[@soberplantguy]

Thank you! Same to you ☺️

[@cassandraCC]

I wish we could get that in the EU or better say in Italy since we each have our own products and regulations as far as pesticides are concerned! :(((

[@cassandraCC]

When I wrote this I had watched only the first few minutes of the vid and I had heard of the product from another vid and I still think it's useful for other purposes. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@soberplantguy]

@@cassandraCC That is the frustration internationally. And yes, very useful, if expensive. Organic farmers use it as a foliar spray, so I imagine that there's a *huge* discount buying it in quantity.

[@raquelhoag2448]

By chance are there different species of root mealies? Some succumb to Pure Crop and others don’t? Either way hydrogen peroxide is cheaper and possibly safer for the environment.

[@soberplantguy]

I have no idea. You'd think they succumb either way, but again, no idea. It's manipulated corn and soy oil, and organic farmers use it for foliar sprays, so I would imagine it pretty safe all around.

[@sarahmosleygonzalez7348]

Yikes! $140 for a pest treatment is too much. TY for mentioning Hydrogen Peroxide. Much more affordable

[@soberplantguy]

Yep, ultimately above my pay grade 😂

[@Planty-Mandy]

Very helpful. It’s amazing how effective the old standards can be. Memo (Houseplantygoodness) just spoke about how Castile Soap has become his new favourite for regular mealies. I didn’t realize that Castile would be more effective than any other soap so now I’m going to get some. I figured soap is soap but I guess not!

[@hanstera_deliciosa]

Yes! I use the peppermint (I think Dave does too?). Hi Mandy Mandy Bo Bandy 😘

[@soberplantguy]

I sent him a comment to express my dismay that he's just hearing about this 🤣 Having used both, I can report a very clear preference for Dr Woods, if you can get it up there. It's much thicker than the more common Dr Bonners, and isn't nearly as "soapy." Meaning, it Woods doesn't leave a residue, at all. Bonners, a little bit. Either is great though. These are chemical free, true soaps, not like Dawn with chemicals that *may* (or may not) burn the leaves.

[@soberplantguy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa Absolutely do. I use Tea Tree as well, but right now it's just peppermint. Smells oh-so-very nice.

[@Planty-Mandy]

@@hanstera_deliciosa haha hi sweetheart! 💚 You are everywhere!

[@BLANKU2]

I was broke when my sis and I hit a garden center and she came home with a plant that had a case of the chicken pox aka mealy's. I did the hydrogen peroxide treatment cause I had it in the house and it worked instantly on the soil and I did the q-tip alcohol on the braches/ leaves. Thankfully it was a small plant and it was a learning experience. My being broke at the time had me call my Grandma asking her what she would buy and she laughed and sent me to the bathroom cabinet. When in doubt ask your plant loving elders. 🪴🪴🪴🪴

[@soberplantguy]

My great grandmother, born in 1900, was the finest gardener I've ever known--and I can guarantee you she never read a book or (of course 🤣) watched a KZbin video! She relied on her parents, and then her own experience. Perfection.