High temperatures in summer not only bring the trouble of mosquitoes but also many gardening enthusiasts find that their own green plants are frequently invaded by pests. In the face of various pests breeding in the soil of flowerpots, there is a popular trick of using mosquito repellent incense to repel pests. Is this method effective? Let's analyze this special technique of potted plant care from a scientific perspective.
Principles of Using Mosquito Repellent Incense in Flowerpots
Analysis of Double Insect Killing Mechanism
The pyrethroids released when mosquito repellent incense burns have neurotoxicity and can effectively penetrate the insect's body wall. When the ash of the mosquito repellent incense seeps into the soil with irrigation water, it forms a continuous protective layer that can kill adult insects and destroy the development environment of insect eggs. Experimental data show that reasonable use can reduce the hatching rate of insect eggs by more than 78%.
Effect of Supplementing Plant Nutrition
The ash of mosquito repellent incense contains a high amount of potassium carbonate (about 12%) and trace elements, which are converted into soluble potassium salts after hydrolysis. This natural potassium fertilizer can promote the synthesis of lignin in plants, strengthen the thickness of cell walls, and increase the insect resistance of the plant by about 40%, achieving the dual effect of repelling insects and fertilizing.
Complete Guide to Using Mosquito Repellent Incense in Flowerpots
Preparation of Tools and Safety Protection
It is recommended to use a full disc of mosquito repellent incense when choosing a container with a diameter of over 30 cm, while for small potted plants, a 5-8 cm section is sufficient. Use a stainless steel bracket instead of traditional bamboo chopsticks to ensure a safe distance of 15 cm from the plant. A transparent acrylic material is recommended for the protective cover, allowing for easy observation of the burning situation.
Four-Step Scientific Operation Method
1. Create a sealed environment with double-layer containers: The inner layer holds the flowerpot, and the outer layer is inverted to form an airtight space. 2. Control the burning time: Adjust according to the volume of the container (20 minutes per cubic meter). 3. Ash disposal skills: Sprinkle the ash evenly after it has naturally cooled. 4. Activation of irrigation: Use a misting spray bottle to water the pot soil thoroughly in three installments.
Precautions and Alternative Solutions
It is recommended to use no more than twice a month to avoid excessive soil alkalinity. Use half the amount for sensitive plants such as succulents. Alternative solutions include using cinnamon powder (diluted 1:10 with water) or applying diatomaceous earth, which also have physical insect repellent effects. Regularly turning the soil and exposing it to sunlight can enhance the control effect by up to 92%.
By using the mosquito repellent incense method scientifically, not only can it effectively control soil pests in pots, but it can also supplement necessary nutrients for the plant. However, it is important to combine it with other care methods to establish a long-lasting plant protection mechanism and ensure healthy growth of green plants during the summer.