How can we protect bonsai plants from pests ?

Tips for naturally controlling pests that affect bonsai plants

Mealy bug

Mealy bugs may occur under leaves of bonsai plants, stem and roots in the soil. They suck sap from the plant parts and wilting of plants occurs if infestation is severe. Spraying with a neem based organic particde is sufficient. Eg. Neemarin 4ml/litr water on affected parts. Drench the soil with the same preparation for root infestation. While repotting, wash the used pots inside and outside so that the mealy bugs can be controlled physically.

Neem cake

Use neemcake fermented with water. 1 kg neemcake in 10 ltr water kept for 1 week. Stir with a stick once daily. Drench the solution 250 ml per plant will destroy the mealy bugs affected on roots. The pots along with the plants can be dipped in the solution for 5-10 minutes. It will also control the pest effectively. Easiest method can be selected. Mealy bug usually occur if repotting is not done periodically.

 If infestation of mealy bug is mild, spraying with rice water (water taken out after cooking rice) alone is effective. If the rice water is 2 days old it is very effective.

caterpillar

Leaf eating caterpillar may be very severe during heavy rains of south east monsoon. Mostly seen in Australian casuarina and citrus varieties. Spraying with organic neem based pesticide like Neemarin 4 ml/litr water is found highly effective. Inspect closely in the early morning so that the caterpillar can be plucked by hand and destroyed. So spraying c an be avoided.

Cone shelled snail

Corn shaped snails of about 1 cm length infest roots of bonsai. It occurs only where irrigation is conducted in the evening. Water only in the morning for bonsai. If water in the evening the roots will not absorb the water because water is unwanted during evening and night time. So excess moisture will be retained in the soil. In such cases snails may appear in the soil and eat the roots. Snails can be seen above the pots also. As it is very small it is difficult to find out. Temporary wilting of plants is the symptom. Wilting of plants can either be by snails or by mealy bug affecting roots. Pesticides will not control snails. Cover the pot using a thick cloth drenched in water day and night. Take out the cloth in the next day. If snails are present in the pot’s soil, it will be clinged to the cloth. Take out them by hand and put it in salt water. Repeat the cloth method for few days repeat it after 2 weeks to control the newly born snails hatched out from eggs.

Leaf thrips

Leaf thrips appear in severe hot weather usually in Ficus benjamina. Thrips damage plants by sucking their juices and scraping at fruits, flowers and leaves. Thrips fold the younger leaves and suck the sap. Folded leaves curl and look pale and brown. Spray any neem based organic insecticide namely neemarin 4m/ltr water on the leaves. Leaf pruning is necessary to remove the infested portions.

It is highly recommended to use Neem based organic pesticides for Bonsai plants for better results.

The real goal of growing a Bonsai is to make natures' miniature but realistic representation in the form of a tree. It re-energizes your home and you will love them like your kids. Please go through Bonsai plants and related things for more in Bonsai world. Hope this post help you!

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