Control of the Gall Forming Wasp on Wax Flower Under Grower Conditions, Winter 1992

Abstract

Abstract Gerdalton Wax (White Wax) was potted in 1 gal pots (15 cm diam.) by a cooperating grower and held for 8 wk outside their greenhouse before use. The plants were small cuttings (4-6 cm high) when first planted. Few if any galls were observed on the plants before use and were removed before trial initiation. A small area free of plants in the midst of commercial range of White Wax was used for the trial. The commercial white wax plants were approx. 100 cm in height and diam. and placed 1 m apart. Treatments were applied on day 0. Azatin treatments were applied as sprays using a hand held pump sprayer and applied at 40 psi. The NTN 33893 treatments were applied directly to the soil and watered in at the time of treatment. Eight plants per treatment were placed 2 feet apart in a RCB design. We minimized water evaporation by burying the plants in the soil 2 inches to cover drainage holes and constructed a drip system to water the plants in place. A high population of gall wasp was present at the site. A single posttreatment count was taken 2 months later following gall formation.