Question
Chris,
My question as you can see in the subject screen concerns using safe insecticides for CPs. Over the years I have used the Bayer Rose and Flower with some success. Bayer has since changed the formula to something else and I'm leery of using that refomulation. Jacob from Cobraplnt.com did say something about the Bayer 3-in-one. What do you recommend for general caterpillar defense on sarracenia? I've heard of using neem as a systemic so ow does that work?

Answer
Hello Cliff,

Actually, I have rarely needed to use insecticides on my carnivorous plants. The ones to use would be free of soap based ingredients. It is the fatty soaps that break down into fertilizers in soil. Additionally, copper based mixtures are also no good as some species of carnivorous plants are adversely affected by copper. Generally, pyrethrin based or Neem oil based products are safe to use on carnivorous plants. Neem oil products work well on fungus as well as insects by breaking down their ability to grow properly.

I would go with what Jacob told you to use. I am unfamiliar with Bayer, but if it is similar to Safer, which they also have used, it should be fine to use with your plants. The main thing to remember is that carnivorous plants are just like other plants except that anything that would fertilize their soil may harm them.

Christopher