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Re: Caterpillars

Systemics, such as Orthene,  never do the trick for me with caterpillars. 
For one thing, it's not effective on the eggs, and by the time the thing
hatches and begins to drill into the bud to do it's nasty work on the
developing flower inside, the damage has already been done.  

I'm confused about why someone would recommend treating now to kill
over-wintering eggs, if you cut your roses down to the ground up there for
winter.  Where do they overwinter if the plant is cut back?  In the
surrounding soil and/or mulch maybe?  Hmm.. 

Down here in the deep south, the winters are so mild, we don't cut our
roses back for the winter, and over-wintering insects are a problem.  The
rose will usually sit thru the winter with plenty of leaves unless I remove
them by hand, which I *try* to do..  Dormant oil sprays are recommended for
the prevention of both insects and disease.  It's also important to get rid
of the mulch, so that it can be replaced in the spring with "clean"
mulch....

and speaking of mulch.... well, that'll have to be another post....   : )

----------
> From: Lance & Kelly White <clwhite@ptialaska.net>
>
> Date: Tuesday, August 26, 1997 2:05 PM
> 
> I've had caterpillars on my hybrid teas & need some advice.  At first, I
> figured the winter would kill them & I'd start treating them next spring.

> Now someone suggested treating now to kill the eggs.  I've used a
systemic
> but that won't affect the caterpillars, right?  What's your opinions?
> 
> About winter care, I am hoping that cutting back & soil mounding will be
> enough.  I may add some type of boughs on top.  Another suggestion was to
> open the bottom of a cardboard box & then fill with some type of mulch,
but
> my husband refuses because it will look tacky (I agree).
> 
> Thanks for any suggestions.
> 
> Colleen White
> SE Alaska 
> Zone 7
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