When you apply horticultural oil in order to control pests such as mealies and mites, do you spray the oil ALL over the plant including in the folds of the leaves and in the crown? It always makes me nervous thinking about doing this, because I have always tried NOT to get anything in the folds of leaves or crown. However, this is where mealies like to hang out, and it is darn near impossible to spray all surfaces of the leaves and not get some in the crown. Do you wipe it out after it gets in there, or do you let it dry naturally? Do you apply the oil with a paper towel instead? :confused:

I spray and drench every surface of the plant - I have a lot of air movement in my growing room....I believe you need to make contact with the bugs in order for oil to work. Rick should post on these subject...I started using oil because of his suggestion and since he was having some success.

I spray and drench every surface of the plant - I have a lot of air movement in my growing room....I believe you need to make contact with the bugs in order for oil to work. Rick should post on these subject...I started using oil because of his suggestion and since he was having some success.

I started with lower doses and more targeted spraying out of caution for the plants, but I am getting the best results by spraying/drenching everything at about 2tsp/quart of water. No plant problems at all that I can see. As the directions say I avoid spraying during bright light and high miday temps. Generally only early morning.

I only worry about getting water in the crown of the plants on rare evening watering events. Make sure you have good breezy conditions, and you shouldn't need to worry about crown rot.