Hello, Darlings,
Yesterday morning, I discovered whitefly eggs all over the eggplants and spreading to the pepper plants. I know that these whitefly eggs are survivors of the Peppermint Oil treatment. While some of the adults died, enough survived to lay those eggs after I moved the eggplant into the sunroom. I had no idea the whitefly eggs were on the plant. There was honeydew overall the eggplants and the pod covers of the growing tank. The pepper plant in the growing system next to the eggplant growing system was only partially covered and same with the pod covers. I removed the plants and the covers and soaked all in %100 neem oil, which I think killed the plants as well as the whitefly eggs, especially after I added a small amount of neem oil to the growing tanks so that it could entry the plants root systems. I probably should not have added it. Too much too late.
Today I am
breaking down both growing countertop systems and cleaning them, and then germinate
more pepper seeds. I also ready have two new eggplants growing, however, since I
now know that there are surviving whiteflies out there, I will spray each plant
with a fine mist the need oil and peppermint oil.
In additional
after doing a little research, I learned that eggplants are used as “trap crop”
the drive whiteflies away from other chop.
Now, I leaned i
Below is a list of some other plants white enjoy infesting, and here is the link to the UC Statewide IPM Whiteflies Guide.
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What Type Of Plants
Do Whiteflies Like To Infest?
Whiteflies prefer plants with soft,
tender, and smooth leaves that make it easy for them to pierce and feed on the
sap. They commonly attack a wide range of vegetables, ornamentals, and fruit
trees.
Common Plant Families and
Types Infested
·
Nightshades
(Solanaceae):
Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes are top targets. Eggplants are especially
favored and often used as trap crops.
·
Brassicas
(Crucifers):
Cabbage, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower frequently attract
whiteflies.
·
Cucurbits: Cucumbers squash and
pumpkins are common victims.
·
Root
Crops and Greens:
Sweet potatoes, okra, and beets.
·
Ornamental
Shrubs and Flowers:
Hibiscus, poinsettias, roses, azaleas, fuchsias, gardenias, gerberas, and
begonias.
·
Fruit
Trees:
Citrus trees, avocados, and pomegranates.
Why Whiteflies Target These
Plants
·
Sap-rich
tissue: They
gather in large clusters on the undersides of new, tender leaves.
·
Fertilizer
levels:
Plants overfed with synthetic nitrogen fertilizers produce rapid, soft growth
that draws in higher numbers of whiteflies.
· Environment: Greenhouses and warm, humid outdoor conditions accelerate their ability to multiply across these host species.
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Until, next time,
Chow, Darlings