subcool
Well-Known Member
There is always a danger when accepting clones or cuttings of bringing in pest or problems along with the new acquisitions. Even if a clone appears perfectly healthy it can be transporting mites or mildew and this can really put a damper on our already work intensive hobby. There are several ways to help prevent transfer that I will cover in this article but the first and most important is a simple rule.
When accepting a clone assume it has mites and treat it accordingly. What does this mean? In a word Quarantine!
Now I grow organically but when it comes to dealing with pest I choose a nuclear warhead when it comes to prevention and I dip new clones/cuttings into Avid. While the precautions on this systemic pesticide look pretty heavy there are two main factors that rest any fears I have. First I do not spray the product at anytime but mix per label directions and use as a dip. The second is my research uncovered the fact that Avid is used heavily in my local agriculture on many berry and fruit bearing plants so I am already consuming large quantities most likely. Some growers chose to use more Earth friendly products like Neem Oil but Neem is really hard on the plants and does not always insure a full kill.
The proper way to apply Avid is to dip the clones as soon as they arrive and then again 3 days later assuring all emerging eggs are also killed. Mites have a life cycle of three days. I will actually treat clones and then place them inside a dome and use duct tape to seal it shut. This prevents any pest from escaping and infecting your garden. I am also a fan of Pest strips and again make no mistake these contain a controversial toxin called Dichlorvos and it is a carcinogen but I guess its really according to how bad you hate Mites or as we call em The Borg. I would never use them around flowering plants but I have been known to tape one up inside a dome with newly received clones.
