Q.Bugs on Gardenia Flowers
I have healthy, beautiful big gardenia bushes with lots of perfect blossoms. One bush has almost 90 a day. Hawaii, you know. Very marketable except for these tiny, tiny black bugs that are hard to remove, except by rinsing many times with water which makes the flowers look bad. What are these bugs and how can I get rid of them in a non toxic way? The land here is a small organic orchard for the local natural food stores.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It may be thrips. They are attracted to blossoms and are long, but small bugs. This article may help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-thrips.htm
You can try using neem oil. It is organic and effective on many damaging pests. This article has more info:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm