[andygh]

Just wondered if anyone knows the dilution rate when using soft soap to clobber aphids

[WG.]

Dunno for sure but I reckon you're just looking at a squirt into the bucket in order to act as a wetting agent.  Breaks surface tension for the technically minded.

[andygh]

the soft soap I've got is like a stiff paste???

[mandycharlie]

where do you get soft soap from?

[andygh]

I ordered it online from Ferndale Lodge

[WG.]

I ordered it online from Ferndale Lodge

Can't you get them to tell you the dilution rate??

[andygh]

Yes I will, thanks

[mkhenry]

Dunno for sure but I reckon you're just looking at a squirt into the bucket in order to act as a wetting agent.  Breaks surface tension for the technically minded.

 For the less technically minded, it makes water wetter.
 Washing up liquid will do the same thing. The reason some people prefer softsoap may be because of the chemicals in some liquids.

[andygh]

Although soap does act as a wetting agent "soft soap" acts as an organic insecticide in it's own right.
It's not a good idea to squirt washing up liquid in any quantity over your plants as the detergents can burn the leaves, horticultural soft soap is intended for this use.
By the way, as far as I can make out the correct quantity to use is 1 dollop per 5 litres of water (roughly a good tablespoon)

[WG.]

1 dollop per 5 litres of water

How many dollops per bushel / rod / acre / cubit / barrowful?

[mkhenry]

We must all use that which we are happiest with. I have been using washing up liquid for many years successfully. But at a very low dilution factor and only for a very local particular problem. I certainly do not spray the whole garden.                                                                       Insecticidal (soft soap) soap has the disavantage of having to make contact with the pest you are trying to knock out. It will paralyze any bug it touches but they can walk over it with hardly any ill affects.I stopped using it in about 1963-64 for that reason.( I know it was then because that was when I first went to Chelsea and spoke to the gardeners there.) I pefer Rhubarb Soup or Nettle Manure and depending on the time of year Galic Sprays. Also WG is right look into the doseage of soft soap before you use it.WG is normally great at organic methods.

[andygh]

Sorry I thought I made it clear..... 1 dollop per 5 litres of water.
I've been growing organically for more than a couple of hours myself, thanks for the help