Furadan is a well known contact and systemic poison that is effective against quite a few insects that wreck havoc on plants. If you were wondering how to use Furadan on succulents, or if it is even a good idea to use it in the first place, here’s a bit of help your way.
Read on to get a quick overview of everything you need to know about using Furadan on succulents and other potted plants.
Jump to:
Is Furadan a Fungicide?
Furadan is actually an incredibly effective insecticide that targets common plant pests including mealybugs, white grubs, white flies, top grubs, aphids, nematodes and even thrips.
It contains an active ingredient that disrupts communication between the pest and its host. This makes it difficult for the pest to properly feed and reproduce, eventually resulting in death.
It has become a popular pesticide choice for farmers looking to protect their crops from fungal diseases. That said, Furadan is highly toxic, which makes it unsuitable for use in food plants.
How to Use Furadan on Succulents
You can use Furadan on your succulents and other house plants as an effective solution for controlling pests and disease.
Furadan is systemic, which means that the active ingredient is distributed throughout the entire plant. This then works by disrupting the hormones and metabolism of the insects and eventually ends its life cycle.
To achieve best results when using Furadan on succulents, make sure you apply the insecticide carefully, especially if you are using it for the first time.
First, before using, clean and remove any infected areas of the succulent and manually remove as many insects as possible.
Next, mix the Furadan solution according to label directions and apply immediately.
Recommended Read: Do Succulents Grow Bigger in Bigger Pots?
Can I Use Furadan in Potted Plants?
While Furadan is exceptionally effective against most pests and insects that damage your plants, using them on potted plants in specific, is not recommended, especially when it comes to long term use.
This is simply because Furadan tends to get absorbed more quickly by the roots of the potted plants and can cause serious damage to their system.
Overuse of Furadan can actually destroy the beneficial soil organisms, leaving your plants vulnerable to further infestations.
To protect your potted plants from pests, it is best to opt for natural methods.
Is Furadan Safe For Succulents?
Furadan can be a great tool when used correctly when it comes to your succulents. When used as directed, it helps control many nematodes that cause damage and root rot in succulents.
Furadan works on contact and leaves behind a protective barrier around the roots, which is effective in repelling worms and other pests. Despite its high effectiveness, usage of Furadan for succulents must be done with utmost caution.
This is simply because Furadan contains a powerful active ingredient known as carbofuran which has been known to cause adverse effects if not used properly.
When Should You Apply Furadan?
You can apply Furadan on your succulents for the purpose of controlling weeds or protecting them from insects.
When applying it, it is important to consider the growth stage of the succulent in order to maximize its effectiveness. For example, if Furadan is applied at too early of a stage in the succulent’s lifecycle, it can cause injury or malformation.
Additionally, Furadan should not be applied while the ground is frozen or in overly dry conditions. Under these circumstances, the environment may be too harsh and may actually lead to poor results and cause damage to your plant.
To ensure proper application and successful outcomes, try to use Furadan on succulents when both the soil and ambient temperature are optimum.
Can I Mix Furadan with Water?
There’s a lot of conflicting evidence around mixing Furadan with water. Some believe that applying Furadan directly to the soil or foliage around a crop is the most effective form of insect control.
Others, however, claim that for certain kinds of pest infestations, mixing Furadan with water may be an acceptable alternative.
Regardless of what you choose to do, it is important to understand and evaluate the possible risks associated with the use of Furadan including potential runoff into nearby bodies of water and the harmful residues which can remain on treated soil.
Recommended Read: Do Succulents Like to Be Root Bound?
What Are the Alternatives to Using Furadan For Succulents?
Furadan may be a powerful insecticide that you may want to use for your succulents, but it does come with certain drawbacks associated with its use.
You could instead, opt for any one of the numerous safer and more affordable alternatives.
Neem oil, for instance, is one of the most popular substitutes for Furadan and many other commercially available insecticides, and does not harm your plants.
You can also consider the practice of spraying your succulents with soapy water once a month or mixing up homemade bug sprays from essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender to keep insects at bay.
Another great option is to create natural barriers like diatomaceous earth or adding sticky cards near your plants or potting soil which will attract pests and keep them from invading your succulents.
What Other Insecticides Can I Use on Succulents?
You might find a lot of options available commercially, but if you’re more inclined towards using natural alternatives, neem oil is your best bet. It works against most infestations and will also repel any future invaders- all without causing any harm or damage to your plant.
Other organically derived insecticides such as pyrethrin are also effective for controlling plant pests harmful to succulents. Additionally, treating soil with Dipel or Thuricide powders can help protect against root-eating insects like fungus gnats. Finally, regularly spraying plants with soapy water helps keep pests away from succulents too!
Can You Spray Epsom Salt on Succulents?
Epsom salt is a great way to give your succulents a nitrogen boost! Not only is Epsom salt an effective fertilizer for succulents, it's also very easy to use.
When mixed with water, it can be applied directly to the foliage or poured at the base. Just remember to practice this in moderation- too much of anything- even Epsom salt, can be harmful.
Can You Spray Vinegar on Succulents?
Vinegar is often touted as an excellent natural insecticide, and if you’re wondering whether it is safe to be used on your succulents, well, it actually depends.
Undiluted vinegar is very acidic, and can actually prove to be fatal. The diluted version, however, is a great solution for mealybugs and many other insects and pests.
If you must, use a solution of water and a very small amount of vinegar for your succulents. It also makes sense to be very selective with its use- because vinegar is pretty non selective, and can end up damaging your plant more than you’d like.
Comments
No Comments