Thrips is a small, winged insect of black or brown color, its larvae usually have a yellow or slightly greenish tint. To gladiolus thrips cause significant damage, affecting buds, flowers, leaves and corms.
Processing gladiolus bulbs to kill thrips
Since with the onset of autumn, a greater number of thrips moves to the lower part of the gladioli, and then under the scales of the bulbs, it is this part of the plant that requires closer attention. First of all, the dug up corms must be shaken off the ground, and then immersed for five minutes in water heated to 50 ° C. Another option is to lower the tubers in a warm solution of malathion for 20-30 minutes. To prepare such a remedy, take 2 liters of water for 2 g of the drug.
Treated bulbs should be thoroughly dried and removed for the winter, in a room with a temperature not exceeding 8 ° C, otherwise thrips can become active. Throughout the entire storage time, gladioli should be viewed and, if pests are found, sprinkle the bulbs with chalk or fluffy lime.
Before planting, corms are sorted out, the affected ones are eliminated, and normal ones are treated. For processing, a solution of malathion is used, as well as a yarrow infusion, which is obtained from 900 g of dry raw material, filled with 10 l of boiling water and aged for two days. In any of these products, the bulbs are kept for 20-30 minutes.
