EarthBox Forum
EarthBox Chat => Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: EarthBoxAdmin on June 14, 2017, 12:06:18 pm
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 8, 2008.
USDA researchers have come up with a ?home remedy? specifically for use against whiteflies. It works by smothering the larvae and eggs, and kills the whiteflies. It might be effective on some other insects as well, so it seems worth passing along:
Add one Tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap (the regular kind; NOT one of those anti-microbial types) to a cup of vegetable oil (peanut, corn, soybean, sunflower or safflower) and shake well. DONT USE THIS AS YOUR SPRAY; IT MUST BE DILUTED! Mix 1+1/2 teaspoons of this master solution into a cup of water, shake well and spray on those infested leaf undersides.
Or, you can get an insecticidal soap or send for Pyola from Gardens Alive.
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 9, 2008.
Mickie I sent you question but I seem to have lost it it was about white flies I have a one gallon sprayer could you tell me the ratio for a one gallon sprayer mixing cooking oil and dish washer detergent I am not to smart on math also I added lime to my bell peppers and they look great thank you for your help proudnfree
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 9, 2008.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 9, 2008.
Mickie I sent you question but I seem to have lost it it was about white flies I have a one gallon sprayer could you tell me the ratio for a one gallon sprayer mixing cooking oil and dish washer detergent I am not to smart on math also I added lime to my bell peppers and they look great thank you for your help proudnfree
The recipe for the master solution is in my prior post. To use:
The basic ratio is 1 part master solution to 32 parts water. Or...
TO MIX FROM SCRATCH FOR A ONE GALLON PUMP SPRAYER:
1+1/2 teaspoons liquid dish soap
5+1/2 Tablespoons oil
3 Quarts (12 cups) water
If you have one of those sprayers that attach to the end of your hose, Im not sure how that goes... I always get confused using those things.
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 10, 2008.
Mickie is that 11/2 cups of oil and 11/2 cups of detergent please advise
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 10, 2008.
Mickie or is that 6 ounces of oil and 6 ounces of detergent please explain it a little more clearer also I have a 1 gallon pump sprayer I am sorry to be such bother and thanks for your patients with us new guys. again thank you for your help
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, MaryB. This user is located in Zone 7, North Central AR. This was originally posted on July 10, 2008.
proudnfree,
This isnt Mickie, but here is her original recipe for the homemade spray:
MASTER SOLUTION:
Add one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap (the regular kind; NOT one of those anti-microbial types) to a cup of vegetable oil (peanut, corn, soybean, sunflower or safflower) and shake well. DON?T USE THIS AS YOUR SPRAY; IT MUST BE DILUTED! Mix two tablespoons of this ?master solution? into a cup of water, shake well and spray on those infested leaf undersides.
That is how you make the master solution.
Next you'll need to do the dilution for your 1 gallon sprayer:
DILUTION:
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) master solution to 3 quarts of water for your 1 gallon hand pump sprayer
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 10, 2008.
Mary could you tell me how much detergent and how much oil in a one gallon spray I do not know how much to mix
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, MaryB. This user is located in Zone 7, North Central AR. This was originally posted on July 10, 2008.
proudnfree,
Have you mixed up your master solution?
MASTER SOLUTION:
Add one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap (the regular kind; NOT one of those anti-microbial types) to a cup of vegetable oil (peanut, corn, soybean, sunflower or safflower) and shake well. DON?T USE THIS AS YOUR SPRAY; IT MUST BE DILUTED! Mix two tablespoons of this ?master solution? into a cup of water, shake well and spray on those infested leaf undersides.
That is how you make the master solution.
Let me know when you have that ready to be diluted.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Guest, cushman350. This was originally posted on July 10, 2008.
For a one gallon sprayer: Two tablespoons soap and two cups oil will give you approx. 16 oz. of master solution. Then measure out 12 oz. of this to 3 quarts water. Keep shaking often. I know I am.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 10, 2008.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Guest, cushman350. This was originally posted on July 10, 2008.
For a one gallon sprayer: Two tablespoons soap and two cups oil will give you approx. 16 oz. of master solution. Then measure out 12 oz. of this to 3 quarts water. Keep shaking often. I know I am.
Thanks, Cushman... I was getting ready to tear my hair out....
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, chrisbk. This user is located in Northern CA, Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 11, 2008.
At the risk of seeing Mickie bald or having the red font start blinking and hissing, experience with this recipe tells me that, once you have the master solution mixed, you may want to move from the standard 2 TB of the master solution + 1 cup of water to, instead, 2 TB of the master solution mixed with up to 8 cups of water. The mix is, of course, not nearly as strong but, in very high temps, it does not burn the leaves and seems almost as effective. A friend tried the solution full strength in the early evening and cooked the edges of her squash leaves. It got rid of the bugs but now her garden looks unsightly.
Chris
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 - North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 11, 2008.
I appreciate all the help from you guys it is a nice feeling that you are not alone trying to fight mother nature and mickie I understand now it seems you have patients like a saint and please keep your hair where it belongs
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 11, 2008.
picker2b-
The problem with doing straight multiples of the formula is when you take into account the capacity of the sprayers. Example:
A 1 gallon sprayer holds 16 cups. Straight math multiplying the formula says to use 32 Tablespoons to 16 cups, which equals 2 cups concentrate to 4 quarts water, which exceeds the capacity of the sprayer. Thus, I recommended using the 24 Tablespoons (1+1/2 cups) concentrate to 3 quarts water for the 1 gallon sprayer. Figuring out the various concentrations for the CAPACITY of various sprayers made my hair loosen at the roots. Sad
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 11, 2008.
P.S. To go from scratch to a 1 gallon pump sprayer:
1+1/2 Tablespoon dish soap
1 cup + 6+1/2 Tablespoons oil
3 quarts water
End of subject. Finis
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, chrisbk. This user is located in Northern CA, Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 12, 2008.
Okay. Last post on this from me. I found that storing the extra solution in empty, clean 2 Liter soda bottles helpful. I used these same (full) bottles when planting my second EB. After the step of adding the Dolomite, I put in the 2 Liter soda bottles and packed potting mix around them and laid the fertilizer strip. Then I pulled out the soda bottles and had 4 nice planting holes. I covered the EB with the shower cap cover and it was very easy to see where to cut the Xs in the cover and place the plants neatly where I wanted them. I say neatly as, no kidding, the set up of the entire EB box from starting the box to filing/watering the mix in/planting/erecting staking system was done SITTING ON MY LIVING ROOM COUCH over my carpet. I rolled the EB to the patio when I was done, filled the water reservoir and was instantly gardening. I walked to the kitchen, rinsed off the soda bottles and stored them for the next time my sprayer needs a refill. Simple! I vacuumed but my floor was essentially clean (other than all the empty plastic bags.)
Chris
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 - North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 13, 2008.
Chris great idea I will try that in my fall planting I started peppers from seed and by Sept. first I should be planting I will be using what Mickie said first mix 2 cups of lime with my potting MIX. Mickie taught me well. I think I will use smaller size bottles for my peppers anyway great idea thanks for all your help I hope Mickie is not upset with me. Take care and happy gardening.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 - North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 18, 2008.
could any body tell me why my peppers turn red when they are only the size of a golf ball please advise
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, bobk. This user is located in West, Central FL - Zone 9b. This was originally posted on July 18, 2008.
I'm sure the summer weather is a big factor.
Spring peppers plant Jan-Mar.
Fall peppers plant Aug-Sep.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, picker2b. This user is located in Zone 7a - Copper Hill, VA. This was originally posted on July 18, 2008.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, proudnfree. This user is located in Zone 9 - North of Daytona Beach. This was originally posted on July 18, 2008.
could any body tell me why my peppers turn red when they are only the size of a golf ball please advise
Could they actually be red peppers but the tagged wrong?
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 18, 2008
No. The typical Green Bell Pepper is just an unripe Red Bell Pepper. And, since pepper plants produce more Green peppers than Red, it may be better to set aside one plant to produce the Red and a separate one for the Green.
Donald1800
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, picker2b. This user is located in Zone 7a - Copper Hill, VA. This was originally posted on July 18, 2008.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 18, 2008
No. The typical Green Bell Pepper is just an unripe Red Bell Pepper.
Donald1800
Duh......I knew that. Its must be getting late and my brain is not working .
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, kbirdz. This user is located in Zone 9 - Oroville, CA. This was originally posted on July 19, 2008.
Here's another person feeling silly. I just ordered seed packets of different colored bell peppers for next year (green, red, yellow & lavender). I didn't know the green ones turned red. This was my first year trying to grow peppers and since only one plant has survived the peppers get eaten too fast.
Quote from: Donald1800 on July 18, 2008, 05:46:44 PM
No. The typical Green Bell Pepper is just an unripe Red Bell Pepper.
Donald1800
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, TNcheech. This user is located in Western TN - Zone 7. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
There are different-colored peppers! They all start out green when they are immature. But as they ripen, they change their colors. I have had peppers that were chocolate, purple, yellow, and red when they were "ripe." They are good to eat when they are still green, but they develop their full sweet & juicy flavor when they have changed to their designated color. You wont be disappointed with your order of "colored" peppers -- you just have to wait longer for them to ripen and change their color. They wont bear as many peppers if left to ripen rather than being picked when green, but those colors are gorgeous! Hope this helps.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, kbirdz. This user is located in Zone 9 - Oroville, CA. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
Thanks. I'm looking forward to all the pretty colors in a salad or stir-fry. I didn't see chocolate - have to look for that one.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, kbirdz. This user is located in Zone 9 - Oroville, CA. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
Thanks. I'm looking forward to all the pretty colors in a salad or stir-fry. I didn't see chocolate - have to look for that one.
That's why I have 6 EBs planted with 9 different peppers. Grin
One thing, though... not all peppers retain their colors when cooked; some just turn green. Its usually the purple, or chocolate ones. The reds and yellows stay true. So yummy when grilled with onions over charcoal or wood in one of those grill pans with all the holes in it... the smokey flavor... Heaven!!
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
mjb8743:
Do you mean the Cobb Cooker with the grilling pan? I have that and it is the best portable charcoal BBQ that I have ever used. I just finished cooking a nearly 5 lb. chicken with the last hour smoked with mesquite. Absolutely scrumdidillyumchus.
Donald1800
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
mjb8743:
Do you mean the Cobb Cooker with the grilling pan? I have that and it is the best portable charcoal BBQ that I have ever used. I just finished cooking a nearly 5 lb. chicken with the last hour smoked with mesquite. Absolutely scrumdidillyumchus.
Donald1800
You're making me hungry again... and I just ate dinner. No, not a Cobb Cooker (although I keep meaning to check them out). I have a big charcoal grill/smoker, and I have a large frying pan that is full of holes. Usually, I make a good-sized charcoal fire, but then add wood off to one side for the extra flavor. I have hickory trees, so its usually downed branches and wet nuts. The marinated veggies go in the pan, while the meat is cooking off to the side (indirect cooking).
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, TNcheech. This user is located in Western TN - Zone 7. This was originally posted on July 21, 2008.
Mickie, thanks for the idea! We have a big charcoal grill/smoker and hickory trees. Ill be sure to pass this tip along to my husband who is the official griller at our place. (Many times he gets sidetracked and burns things ... ugh).
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4.This was originally posted on July 21, 2008.
I just checked out the Cobb cooker over the weekend and am definitely considering purchasing one. Mickie: I just ate lunch and you still managed to make me hungry. I have been grilling peppers, zukes and onions the last couple of weeks, I don't have one of those pans you are talking about, but I have two fairly large wire baskets with long handles,,,,,,that I believe are designed to grill fish, and they have served the purpose. Unfortunately none of the aforementioned veggies are from my EB garden.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 21, 2008.
Kathy:
Be sure that you check out the Cobb Videos and accessories on their site. Unfortunately, once you get this thing, you suddenly discover that you have a new addiction.
"Feed the Beast"
Donald1800
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4.This was originally posted on July 21, 2008.
It seems like the Cobb Cooker will fit in with my other two addictions, nicely. The addictions being EB gardening and eating.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
This thread got complicated and sidetracked, so Im repeating the original formula here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
USDA researchers have come up with a home remedy specifically for use against whiteflies. It works by smothering the larvae and eggs, and kills the whiteflies. The whitefly hangs out on the UNDERSIDES of the leaves, so its very important to spray there. Just doing the leaf tops wont help. It might be effective on some other insects as well, so it seems worth passing along. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH YOUR MEASUREMENTS.
MASTER SOLUTION:
1 Tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap (the regular kind; NOT one of those anti-microbial types)
1 Cup of vegetable oil (peanut, corn, cottonseed, soybean, sunflower or safflower)
Shake well
DONT USE THIS AS YOUR SPRAY; IT MUST BE DILUTED! DO NOT USE IN A HOSE-END SPRAYER
TO USE IN A SMALL HAND SPRAYER:
1+1/2 teaspoons MASTER SOLUTION (see above)
1 Cup Water
Shake well
or FROM SCRATCH, READY TO USE:
1/4 teaspoon liquid dish soap (see above)
2+3/4 teaspoons oil (see above)
2 Cups water
TO MIX FROM SCRATCH FOR A ONE GALLON PUMP SPRAYER:
1+1/2 teaspoons liquid dish soap
5+1/2 Tablespoons oil
3 Quarts (12 cups) water
Note: to keep measurements somewhat even for ease of measuring, there is some very slight rounding off in calculations.
Or, you can get an insecticidal soap from Gardens Alive. When applying, make sure the temperature is below 85 degrees F and that plants are not drought- or heat-stressed.
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, chrisbk. This user is located in Northern CA, Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 28, 2008.
Thanks for repeating this recipe Mickie. You have made it nice and simple.
I would add that, in my humble experience, with very hot California temps, on a cement porch or patio, that mixing per these directions for a hand sprayer (I/other EBers use a plastic spray bottle) may/will cause scorched leaves. The oil that remains on the leaves during the hottest part of the day causes anything from the outside leaf edge to turn brown all the way to the entire leaf dying. If you have hot, dry temps, I would suggest
1) Add the 2 TB of Master Solution to up to 8 cups of water
2) Spray the undersides of the leaves BEFORE 8am to allow the water to evap as much as possible
3) JUST spray the undersides of the leaves as their will be enough drift to adequately cover the upper part of the leaves and will avoid any unnecessary oil on the top of the leaf (where the sun shines and try's to turn your leaves into wilted spinach salad)
I have found using 8 cups of water instead of one cup of water to be adequately effective if the spray is repeated every 7 days. By the third week, I had no recurring whiteflies or aphids as proven by hanging a yellow sticky trap that remained clean even after shaking the plants. I was amazed at just how wonderfully this spray worked!
Chris
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, roysmom. This was originally posted on February 28, 2009.
Chris, I can see why you mixed it in 8 cups as that is an awful lot of oil (ie 2 tablespoons) for one cup of water. I tried searching the USDA site and could not find the original recipe. I used to work for an extension office and am familiar with various recipes. Also as a comparison any bottle of regular hort. oil will tell you to use much less.
I finally located the basic recipe in Organic Gardening and they said 1 to 1 1/2 TEASPOONS of master mix to one cup of water. Teaspoons not tablespoons. Sometimes original info on the internet is accidentally changed and it is the incorrect version that everyone finds much later on.
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-2-10-138,00.html
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on February 28, 2009.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, roysmom. This was originally posted on February 28, 2009.
I finally located the basic recipe in Organic Gardening and they said 1 to 1 1/2 TEASPOONS of master mix to one cup of water. Teaspoons not tablespoons. Sometimes original info on the internet is accidentally changed and it is the incorrect version that everyone finds much later on.
This was the source of the original recipe I posted.
USDA spray.... http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=829
You are absolutely correct that sometimes publishers etal will mis-type something, and Mike McGrath is very well-known in organic gardening circles, thus the wrong info gets passed around without question. I got out my calculator and adjusted the posted recipe downward for the various sprayers.
See http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?topic=2201.msg18105#msg18105
Thanks for your help.
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, roysmom. This was originally posted on March 2, 2009.
Hi Mickie, I think what happened was they probably used a small t for teaspoon and someone along the way changed it to tablespoon. Plus 1 to 2 tablespoons to a gallon of water is common so it was repeated even though it was to be added to only a cup.
Hope someone contacts GardensAlive so they can change that.
You might want to revise your very first post to the correct 1 teaspoon to 1 1/2 teaspoon per cup as many people probably dont read through the whole thread. You could even link the Organic Gardening page if you wanted to.
Take care......
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on July 10, 2012.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 20, 2008.
This thread got complicated and sidetracked, so Im repeating the original formula here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
USDA researchers have come up with a home remedy specifically for use against whiteflies. It works by smothering the larvae and eggs, and kills the whiteflies. The whitefly hangs out on the UNDERSIDES of the leaves, so its very important to spray there. Just doing the leaf tops wont help. It might be effective on some other insects as well, so it seems worth passing along. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH YOUR MEASUREMENTS.
MASTER SOLUTION:
1 Tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap (the regular kind; NOT one of those anti-microbial types)
1 Cup of vegetable oil (peanut, corn, cottonseed, soybean, sunflower or safflower)
Shake well
DONT USE THIS AS YOUR SPRAY; IT MUST BE DILUTED! DO NOT USE IN A HOSE-END SPRAYER
TO USE IN A SMALL HAND SPRAYER:
1+1/2 teaspoons MASTER SOLUTION (see above)
1 Cup Water
Shake well
or FROM SCRATCH, READY TO USE:
1/4 teaspoon liquid dish soap (see above)
2+3/4 teaspoons oil (see above)
2 Cups water
TO MIX FROM SCRATCH FOR A ONE GALLON PUMP SPRAYER:
1+1/2 teaspoons liquid dish soap
5+1/2 Tablespoons oil
3 Quarts (12 cups) water
Note: to keep measurements somewhat even for ease of measuring, there is some very slight rounding off in calculations.
Or, you can get an insecticidal soap from Gardens Alive. When applying, make sure the temperature is below 85 degrees F and that plants are not drought- or heat-stressed.
Mickie
Old thread, I know.
I am wondering why this cant be used in a hose end sprayer. I am using a tank sprayer and my family is bugging me to just use a hose end sprayer. They think it would be easier. I tell them no, it is not allowed, but cant tell them why. What can I tell them?
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7 - South Nj, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 10, 2012.
I am wondering why this cant be used in a hose end sprayer. I am using a tank sprayer and my family is bugging me to just use a hose end sprayer. They think it would be easier. I tell them no, it is not allowed, but cant tell them why. What can I tell them?
How good is your math? If you can do the calculations for the proper concentration, you can try with a hose-end sprayer. Worst case #1... you burn your plants, Worst case #2... nothing happens at all (no dead bugs).
Mickie
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on July 10, 2012.
Ok, so its not a clogging issue or anything like that. Its a concentration issue. My math? LOL. I guess I can tell my family that the right setting has not been determined, and the risks involved.
Personally, I would rather not drag a hose all around. I like my tank sprayer but some members of the family think the hose thing looks really cool, but they are not the ones doing it or willing to take the time. So if they want to take over the garden duties they can play with the hose. I will stick with the sprayer. Thanks, Mickie.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist, over 45 years in the business. The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4.This was originally posted on July 11, 2012.
My guess on why you cant use the hose on sprayer is because they are not sure the dilution rates would be accurate. With prepared sprays the oils and active ingredients are emulsified (not sure if this is the proper term, but essentially well blended) and you would get the correct proportions. With this mix/concoction, you will always get a separation of the water and the oil, therefore you would not be spraying a "true mix".
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, John. This user is located in EarthBox - Northeast PA Zone 5. This was originally posted on July 12, 2012.
Most dish soaps are detergents. It is the most common mistake when people are mixing their homemade solutions. Detergents destroy the cuticle which protects the epidermis of the leaf. Have been mixing 1tea - 1tbs of Murphys Oil Soap to 1 gallon of water for white flies (depending how bad the problem is). Also works great for aphids or any soft-bodied pest.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on July 13, 2012.
Thanks for the soap tip. Even Ivory, I believe is detergent and not soap anymore. I read the label in the store, and it looks like detergent to me. I am using M-Pede insecticidal soap which is the potassium salts of fatty acids and meant for plants.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, John. This user is located in EarthBox - Northeast PA Zone 5. This was originally posted on July 13, 2012.
Years ago, I read every dish soap label in the grocery store. I believe ivory was the only one that was not a detergent. Thanks for the update. Murphys IS a true soap, it contains fatty acids from animal fats which are responsible for killing the small soft-bodied insects.
-
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, potatohead. This user is located in 9A Desert Southwest. This was originally posted on July 13, 2012.
I have read that you can use the dish detergents (Dawn, etc.) but they are more likely to damage the plant, and can not be sprayed as frequently as a true soap. The Murphys idea is a good one.
What are the downsides to using vegetable oils from the grocery store as opposed to the refined horticultural oils sold by the garden centers? Are the horticultural oils really better or is it just hype/marketing? Is there really that much difference?