Predatory Mites....

[Aksala]

How long into flower can you use these? I don't want to use anything that might make the buds smell/taste dif or be harmful in any way.

 

[guest2012y]

Don't spray neem past the first week or two of 12/12.

 

[Albertine]

Jaykush, can you give us more details? I really like the idea of repellent herbs - how much of what for the spray?

 

[jaykush]

here someone asked me the other day

take some lavender sprigs. strip off the flower buds. take about a good handful and put in a gallon of water( putting it through a blender helps). let sit for 2-3 days. you want it to smell good still, don't let it sit until it ferments. dilute 1:30-1:50 and lightly foliar spray under the leaves as best as possible. repeat in 5 days and again in 5 more if needed. my friends plants were getting pretty bad, with only two applications they were completely gone, and have been gone for at least a month now if not more from those two sprays alone.

not only will you be doing pest control, youll be feeding your plants as well. lavender has a TON of helpful chemical compounds, minerals and all kinds of plant specific goodies.

 

[Albertine]

Thanks much. Fascinating - I've seen stuff online about using eucalyptus for mites on orchids, then there's that commercial spray using rosemary. Is it killing them or repelling them, or both? Is it a scent thing?

Sorry for hijacking here....

 

[jaykush]

im guessing the essential oils have something to do with it. lavender is a potent plant as far as natural plant chemicals go. also a good thing to take into account is lavender grown in a cold climate is not as "potent" as one grown in a warm climate. so you might want to add more plant matter. say two handfuls. but still only let it sit for about 24-48 hours.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

I picked up some lavender this morning and have a batch brewing now. It should be ready to use by Saturday evening.

CC

 

[Muleskinner]

who puts more bugs on their garden to solve a bug problem? some crazy hippie.

Thanks for letting us know you're an idiot.

OF COURSE predatory mites are the absolute best solution for spider mite. Completely effective, zero side effects on plant or flowers.

 

[someotherguy]

Thanks for letting us know you're an idiot.

OF COURSE predatory mites are the absolute best solution for spider mite. Completely effective, zero side effects on plant or flowers.

with the caveat that if you're one of those who don't
pay much attention to your garden and let the mites
really take hold, the predatory mites will have trouble
keeping up.

peace, and stay safe, SOG

 

[Albertine]

Not sure if something could be left out, but for those that find fresh lavendar difficult to get hold of, New Seasons and probably most other natural foods stores have arrays of essential oils for sale. Dr. Bronner's also has a lavendar flavor.

 

[guest2012y]

Dr. Bronner's Lavender magic soap would be a good emulsifier for plant oils/extracts that are going to be sprayed.

 

[Microbeman]

Aksala

I just noticed that you live west of the Cascades and I thought that you should know that using predator mites is virtually worthless in this part of the world.

Especially right now after this past spring and summer where we had laboratory conditions for breeding massive levels of mites and over 300 anaerobic molds (i.e. powdery mildew) to make things fun and exciting.

CC

CC, my friend,

This is surprising to me. Is it because growers tried using the predatories too late? I had such good luck with using persimilus (sp?) placed in the garden early enough. We used these combined with cucumerus (sp?) and became established permanently as we maintained a living soil and always had plant growth.

PS. Did you get the report and video I sent?