Gail's massive contributions includes details on planting garlic, building the organic bed and pruning - timely projects for Texan gardens in our mild November weather.

I'm soooo glad you didn't say Massive Gail's contributions...

Every time I read your guide, Gail, I continue to realise how little I know about this pastime. If you ever do come to my garden you will probably never leave, just spend the rest of your life correcting all the mistakes and omissions. The citrus rinds for root nematodes was particularly interesting, such a cheap and easy cure. Do you have anything to suggest for root mealy bugs on cacti, or mealy bugs in general?

For inside plants I've always rubbed the leaves with rubbing alcohol. For outside, never had the problem but other organic gardeners use DE (diatomaceous earth). Do you have a poofer to poof it onto the plants?

Back on the poofs I see. J
These cacti are in pots inside, Gail, and the mealy nbugs are on the root system. The mealy coating protects them against many of the usual insecticides and I have to be careful with systemics as some cacti are very slow to absorb them and others have a low tolerance of them. The alcohol causes me two problems, one how do you rub it on the prickly little devils? (or is that what the poofer was for?)

, and two, I hate to waste good alchohol. J

Yes, sir. The poofer or a Palmolive bottle with DE will do a light dusty without having to handle the plant. I must admit, I have never had a problem with mealy bugs on the roots. Only on foliage. So, I'm a bit stumped. You are sure they are mealy bugs? You can add the DE to a gallon of water too and water it in the root system. 1 tbsp per gallon of water.

Thank you Gail, I appreciate your efforts and shall go shopping for DE.