Treating overwintered plants for pests.

[Kathleen Gilligan]

I have a succulent class later this spring, and want to begin taking cuttings from my over wintered plants.  Last spring we discovered insect activity on hens and chicks and some sedum as they came out of dormancy.  What is the best product to treat the "mother" plants with to make sure they are pest free?    My first thought is an insecticidal soap, or neem oil, but I only have one shot at this, and need to be sure.  Any thoughts?? 

[Michael Pawelek]

Type of insects?

[Kathleen Gilligan]

Not sure, just saw evidence of their scat.  White, on hens and chicks and sedum.  Think we just tossed them at that point, but not willing to do that again.  

[Michael Pawelek]

Some plants in the Sempervivum family produce a white spider like web on the foliage and it is natural. If it is more like a cottony white goo you might be talking about some type of mealy bug.

(Pseudococcidae-unarmored scale)

[Kathleen Gilligan]

I am familiar with the web-type sempervivum, your mealy bug description sounds like an accurate description.  I have not seen anything yet this year, but want to make sure they are clean, especially before they get introduced to the greenhouse. 

[Lynn Ehrhart]

Our procedure for all our cuttings is to dip foliage in an oil or soap at stick time. 

[Sandy Burrell]

I've used marathon on them before for aphids with no bad effects. It works pretty well on mealybugs too. I'd hit them just as soon as I saw any growth or signs of problems. It usually works for about 3 months