Expert: nick mccann - 5/23/2008

Question
I have several night-blooming primroses that the bugs just love. I've tried spraying them, but I can't keep up. Bayer Advanced (#502802B) Systemic Insecticide has worked very well in keeping bugs off some small (10') plum trees, and I'd like to use it on the primroses, which only grow to 4' to 5' per year and then go to seed. The container says it's good for shrubs, but the primroses might not be big enough to qualify. Can you help?...

Answer
Hi Tom, I would prefer the Bayer "All in one rose and flower" systemic, albeit I have never used the one you alluded to; I have used the all in one and it is very effective on numerous plantings I have that require a serious knock out punch for some of the more aggressive insects out there. Be careful when using any systemic however, because it is just that, a systemic, that gets into the inner workings of the plant, including the fruit or vegetables they produce, read the warning labels very carefully. Nick