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Annuals/Little white bugs on Petunias in hanging basket

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Expert: - 7/8/2006


Question
I have miniature red petunias in a 16 inch hanging basket.  They
have been doing quite well and still are.  I was just deadheading
them and noticed very very small white bugs on a section of them.  
I dead head them quite frequently, so I imagine they have just
arrived (the bugs).  I live in Southeastern Connecticut

Answer
Marcia,
If the bugs fly away, it's probably White Fly - if they're tiny and don't fly, it's probably aphids.  If it looks like cotton, it's either scale or mealy bug.  No matter which insect it is, the best thing to use is insecticidal soap or insecticidal soap that has neem in it.  Spray under and over leaves about every 10 days - keep fertilizing and deadheading and cut four or five stems in HALF every week.  This keeps plants full and bushy.  
I hope this helps,
C.L.

Annuals

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C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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