[mumofstig]

When was your book published Sharonx, because sadly a lot has changed in the last couple of years

[Sharonx]

Just checked and it was published in 2008 MOS so may have been written in good faith at the time then?

[mumofstig]

most certainly was

[Yorkie]

Our stance is taken directly from the RHS advice, which is about as good as you can get.

[Salmo]

Simply because they are used as fertilisers and are legal.......home-made pesticides  are not.

So if I think that the effect of rhubarb brew, soapy water, garlic or milk is as a plant stimulant that helps plants to fight off pests and diseases I can use them. What a load of old rubbish.

The important phrase is "It is illegal to use pesticides for unapproved purposes". Anything that is on the label of bought pesticides is legal. If not on the label it is illigal. Always read labels in detail and keep to suggested dilution rates, safety precautions, harvest intervals etc.

Are you trying to say that my response to the question

why is it then ok for us to discuss the use of home made fertilisers such as comfrey tea, nettle tea etc?

was incorrect Salmo?
Comfrey and nettle tea are still legal to use

But not if intended as a pesticide as Corndolly states 'Sprays made from diluted nettle tea or  rhubarb leaves soaked till fermenting for whitefly'.

That is probably enough about sprays and potions. See my next post.

[Salmo]

Organic control of pests and diseases is far more interesting than doubtful sprays and potions.

One of the elements of growing healthy crops is rotation. This prevents pests and disease building up, allows some crops to feed off the residues of others. It also includes cleaning crops which reduce the weed burden and other crops such as green manures which build up the fertility.

That is my positive contribution to this important subject. Lets have some of your simple techniques for avoiding or preventing pests and disease. Nettting/cultivation/traps etc

[Vit]

O! Thread still alive. Lovely 

Ok, let's knock off book worms. Do not call garlic exctract "homemade pesticide", call it "bioactive fertilizer"  Why not?
Natural - check
Active - check
Contain minerals - check

[Aunt Sally]

"bioactive fertilizer" 

 

[Growster...]

Well, I'm just 'smelling' all the pests out.

I've now decanted all the comfrey tea and nettle tea in with the liquid manure, and even I can't get down there now...

[mumofstig]

Well, I'm just 'smelling' all the pests out.

I've now decanted all the comfrey tea and nettle tea in with the liquid manure, and even I can't get down there now...

 

[Growster...]

I hope you're getting the same rain that we are just a few miles from you Mum-o-S!

With any luck, I might just be able to don a gas mask and venture forth later, because it may have diluted the stuff somehow...

BTW, if you walk up Bank St, and look up in the Gods of Lloyds Bank Chambers; well, I started work there in 1965...

And we could park outside then!

[mumofstig]

Yes, lots of rain but I wish it would warm up a tad!

and don't get me started on Town Planning in the Bank St area  oh no 

[SUTTY1]

Sorry in someways to continue this thread but would like to ask a serious question in a light-hearted way.

Why are we allowed to discuss spraying green/whitefly etc with washing-up liquid/ soft soap?

Has it been proven that they have no chemical interaction with them causing their death?

Has it been proven it doesn't damage the environment when used in this way?

Maybe they get very wet, can't fly, slip off the plant falling an incredible height for their size, SPLATT, dead on impact!

Maybe the plant in just to slippy to get back on and they die from old-age, frustrasion or boredom!

Maybe i should just use water!

  :blink:

[Aunt Sally]

This is a very old thread that has been resurrected.  Laws have changed a lot since 2007 when this thread was started.

I'm going to lock this one now, please start a fresh thread if you feel you must.