Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am from Rohini, Delhi, India. I have Jasmine sambac and tulsi in pots. They have few common pests. these pests attacks from below of a new growing leaf or buds. And leaf gets turned white. As they grow very rapidly plants get destroyed. As the pest is below the leaves no pesticides work until you spray it from below. It is very difficult to spray on each leaf and I do not like chemicals. Can you please suggest me any remedy which I can mix in soil ( I think the best for long term) or spray on leaves so that I can save my plants. kindly let me know the treatment of ants in soil.
Thanks in anticipation

ANSWER: Rohit,

Are you sure that the problem is an insect and not mold or a fungus?  If it is an insect the best thing I know is Bayer 12 month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed. You mix it with water and water the plants with it and the plant will take it up through the leaves and it will kill the insects.

You can go to the following website to see the product that I am talking about:
http://www.bayeradvanced.com/tree-shrub-care/products/12-month-tree-shrub-protec

If you ddecide that it may be a mold or fungus porblem you will need to go to a garden center to find a fungicide that is systemic. That means the plant takes it up in it's system and kills the mold and fungus. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for the quick reply and I am sure the answer you provide will be beneficial to my pots plants.Yes those creatures are insects with six legs and two little antenna. Unfortunately I can not buy this product as I am in India and if I do put an online request it'll be very costly. So I am still standing with my plant having those bad insects. Moving all over to my plants and breeding rapidly ( if I do not remove them by hands, which I do not like).
Please suggest me something which is readily available in Indian market? I'll be grateful to you.

Thanks and Regards
Rohit

Answer
Rohit,

I have no way of knowing what is readily available in India. You need to go to a plant or garden center and ask them for a systemic treatment that will kill these insects. The only thing I know you would have there is a spray on treatment. Mix 1 liter of Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol) with 1 litre of water and add1 tablespoon of dish detergent then put it in a spray bottle and spray the entire plant getting the fronts and backs of all leaves. Alcohol will kill insects on contact and the detergent will smother them and kill them so this is a 2 edged sword.

However your local center may have a good systemic that will save you from spraying. Good luck.

Darlene