Insecticide For Coleus

If you have coleus plants and are trying to get rid of aphids, the best thing you can do is give them a good insecticidal soapy spray. The soap will disrupt the waxy coating on the insect bugs and suffocate them. The soap will also stop them escaping from being squashed. It is also better for your hands than using stronger chemicals which might need special protective clothing.

Insecticide For Coleus

Aphids are annoying, damaging pests. They are tiny, smaller than an eighth of an inch long; they pierce the plants and suck out juices.

They come in many colors: beige, black, green, orange, pink, red and yellow. Aphids can be brought indoors on other plants, on clothes or even on a breeze through an open window or door.

The initial infestation is small but the females can produce a few offspring every day for several weeks. The new aphids are ready to feed immediately on foliage. They mold, or shed their skins four times on the way to adulthood.

Discarded skins are one sign of infestation. A second sign is honeydew — sweet, sticky aphid poop. It is often black and infested with mold. Or look for an invasion of ants — they protect the aphids and feed on the honeydew.

If you suspect an infestation of aphids, check the new, lush growth. Check the center of the growth and the underside of leaves.

Options for control:

If the infestation is mild, cut and discard any growth covered with aphids. You can put on gloves and crush the pests on the stem or brush them off into a paper towel and discard.

Take the plant outside and blast it with a strong stream of water, making sure to hit the undersides of the leaves. Knocking them off indoors temporarily moves the aphids off the plant but is not a permanent solution.

Insecticidal soap is another option. Check the label to be sure that the soap is not damaging to your particular plant and that it lists aphids as a target insect.

Superior or horticultural oil, properly applied, will smother the aphids. These are considered non-toxic and less likely to harm beneficial insects. These oils can be applied without damage to foliage but always check the labels and follow all instructions.

Chemical alternatives, but still considered natural solutions, include Neem oil and insecticides that contain pyrethrum. As always check that the products are safe for your plants and effective for aphids.

Avoid reinfestations

Isolate new plants for a week or two to determine if they are infested. Then treat or discard them before moving the plants into your usual plant area.

Check your plants for aphids each time you water them and use one of the above controls to limit damage.

Insecticide For Coleus

Coleus is a popular house plant that grows well outdoors in warm climates, but it also makes a great indoor plant. It is quite versatile and can be grown in a variety of conditions. Coleus comes in many varieties, including:

The Wild Blue Orchid Coleus

This variety features long strap-shaped leaves that can reach up to 12 inches long. The leaves are green with purple or pink veins running through them.

The Purple Velvet Coleus

This variety has deep purple leaves with veins of white or cream coloration running through them. The leaf shape is similar to that of the Wild Blue Orchid Coleus, but on a smaller scale (about 5-6 inches long).

The Calico King Coleus

This variety has dark green leaves with splashes of white coloring throughout them. The leaf shape is similar to that of the Purple Velvet Coleus, but on a larger scale (about 10-12 inches long).

List Of Insecticide For Coleus