Re: Borers

In a message dated 98-01-30 17:39:57 EST, you write:

<< 
 Claire asked if the borer is protected from Cygon use after it has
 hatched and entered the leaf. It appears that they are well protected
 once they are in the leaf and the rhizome.  I sprayed twice this last
 year, ten days apart, and still had some borers in some of my plants,
 other than the Bruce Ricardson collection from Southern Ontrio which was
 infested.  Once the larvae develop to a significant size, they are
 difficult to kill, even by hand.  I am sure that a clorox wash will have
 little or no impact.>>>

Ian, If one plans to use Cygon,  the application must be at exactly the
correct time?
Have you or has anyone been able to clear a garden of infestation with no
return or will the application (or applications) be an annual chore.
 
 <<<<I became quite ill after using Cygon and would advise anyone using it to
 be very careful.  I sprayed on windless evenings and moved continuously
 through the garden in one direction so that I avoided directly entering
 the mist zone.  I also sprayed low (1 ft) over the plant, not up in the
 air.  This year, I will use a good protective filter mask and shower
 right afterwards as I am certain that the poison can penetrate the skin
 directly. >>>>

I have been concerned with the use of Cygon for years. I have a bottle in the
barn and used it once for mites on phlox.  After years of fine phlox the mites
arrived and on the third year rather than cut them down in early summer I
tried the Cygon.  It was efective in this instance.  I did not spray.  I mixed
some in my "poison can" watering can and sprinkled it over and into loosened
soil.  I use rubber gloves. 

We have mountain wind a great deal in the spring and don't use any sprays
except the hand held bottle sort.

I have so many irises in many locations the presence of borers is depressing.
With the exception of a few very old bearded irises all are siberians and
species.  

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
zone 4 - Berkshire area
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