[CH] The systemic for white flies

tgreaves@notes.primeco.com
Tue, 28 Sep 1999 14:55:56 -0500

Thomas Greaves@PCS PRIMECO
09/28/99 02:55 PM


I just ordered some of the granules that Chet probably used.  It is called
Marathon.  I heard about it on a home greenhouse list.  Everyone on that list
thought it could not be used on food plants.  But then one person said that they
had heard that it was OK.  So I wrote to the supplier.  Here's what they said: "
Marathon is a true systemic, flowing thru the plant, but does not however go
into the blossom stem."   So I got thinking that maybe it would be OK on
fruiting plants or anything that is formed from a blossom (as opposed to a leafy
plant such as lettuce).  So I did a web search on "Marathon" and got over
500,000 hits.  I was finally able to get the search down to 17 hits by searching
on +marathon +systemic +whitefly.  And lo, there was this great report from
Arizona where it was being used on vegetables and melons.  You can see the
report at  http://www.msstate.edu/Entomology/v8n1/art19.html   That looked good
enough for me so I just ordered some.

BTW, I'm the guy who posted about using Neem on whiteflies.  It is good as a
knock down for them but is not a solution.  I've also used the yellow sticky
traps, and catch a lot that way, but no control.

If you would like to try the Marathon, you can get it from the place recommended
by the greenhouse list.  I have no affiliation or interest in them other than
they have a good reputation on that list.  Here is their info: "Marathon is
available 4 oz - $7.50, 8 oz. - $14.00, 1 lb. - $27.00, 5 lb. -
$125.00. Shipping is $4.00 for the smaller sizes and $4.50 to $5.50 for the
5 lb, depending on where you live.
We accept MasterCard or Visa.

Marathon is a true systemic, flowing thru the plant, but does not however
go into the blossom stem.  It is used at the rate of 1/8 teaspoon for a
2-3" pot, 1/4 tsp for 3-1/2 to 5", 1/3 tsp for 5-1/2 to 7" pot, etc.
Directions and charts included.

Good Growing,
John Cook
Cape Cod Violetry

We accept phone 508-548-2798, fax 508-540-5427 or email violets@cape.com
orders."

Tom