Oil Sprays: Affect on new shoots/growth of bamboo

[gardentex]

I am curious about oil spray slowing shoot growth. I have used olive oil spray for scale and mealy bugs and not noticed any effect on growth. What effects have you seen?

Steve Muzos

[bamboojohn]

Hi Steve,

Hort oil is supposedly systemic, I was told not to use when the plant is in severe need of moisture or when new growth is occuring, shoots, leaves, or branches.

I am sure you can use as a surface treatment anytime, is that how you use the olive oil?

This is all under the advice of my supplies dealer.

I don't have a lot of problems, but if any mealy bug pops up, its going to appear on my new shoots.

So far, I have very little on my Oldhamii, i have a lot on my Pervariabilis Viridi Striata.

I had some mealy bug on my bamboos in San Antonio and the ladybugs helped clear everything up. Since replanting in Houston, they have started to reappear.

However, I have never seen any on any of my Dendrocalamus, Chungii etc., there tends to be plants that they don't mess with.

John