acclaim from Tanzania in East Africa , the aptly - named African violet ( Saintpaulia spp . ) has been grown a houseplant for generations , although it potentially grows outside in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 11 . This treat - looking beauty has deep green , proportionate leaves and colourful flowers that flower nearly year - round on healthy plant life . An African reddish blue may attract many sucking insect plague , includingaphids , which can affect its health . Get rid of these pests to keep your plant life blooming and reckon its good .
Use Nonchemical Control Methods
Washing aphids off African violets is one of the simplest way to belt down aphid , although the flora ’s leaves may end up with bit . Make a soap solution by mixing 2 teaspoon mild liquid smasher soap into 1 congius of warm water . Use a soft fabric or soft - bristle brush to lightly wash the top and undersides of parting . Wash your plant whenever aphids reappear . Do n’t use dishwasher or laundry detergent because they may damage the African reddish blue ’s leave . Pinching off infested leave can help control small aphid populations . Placing the African reddish blue in a sink or tub and hosing it down with a strong current of water rinse the pests off your plant and down the drainpipe . Or , if you only have a few aphids , dip a cotton ball in isopropyl alcohol and pass over the bugs off the plant .
Spray Houseplants Indoors
Insecticidal grievous bodily harm kill off aphid and are dependable to use inside your home . cautiously read and follow your specific product ’s instructions and refuge precautions because directions will vary . A ready - to - use chemical formula simplifies things . Spray to thoroughly plow the leaves and stems , including the undersides of leave . To work , the spray needs to repress the aphid . repetition treatment every four to seven day until you make out no more aphids on your African reddish blue . Insecticidal soaps sometimes burn plant life leaves , so test the solvent on a little surgical incision of an invisible leaf and train for wrong about 48 hour later . Treat your entire plant if the test spot was n’t damage . If you ’re disquieted , rinse the African reddish blue two hours after treatment to remove the insecticidal soap residuum .
Treat Plants Outdoors
If you exist in a tender enough climate to grow African reddish blue outside , or if the weather is fond enough to contribute houseplant outside , Upper Pinellas African Violet Society recommend treating plant life with a malathion solution containing 2 teaspoons of Cartesian product , 1 congius of water supply and several drops of mild looker grievous bodily harm . utilize a small hand sprayer or spray feeding bottle to altogether hatch the foliage , including the spinning top and undersides of leaves . Spray African violets every seven to 10 solar day until the aphid are go . allow the atomizer dry wholly before you get the plant back at bottom . Malathion is toxic to Apis mellifera , so spray your African violet in the early morning or around twilight when bee are n’t actively pollinate .
Safety First
Insecticidal soap solutions and chemical pesticide can cause skin and center annoyance on link . Protect yourself from vulnerability by wear long sleeves , knickers , place with socks , waterproof gloves , goggles and a face masquerade . other pest detection and control condition is crucial to keep aphid from injuring an African reddish blue . If potential , isolate any young plants for two to three week before placing them among your established houseplants .
References
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