Mixing Botanigard WP, Organic Pyrethrum, and Dia. Earth

[rrog]

I'm considering mixing these three ingredients together in bagged soil (Roots Organic) 4 weeks before I plant seeds. The hope is to have these three ingredients each doing their own thing to deal with pests that may be present.

From what I gather, these three are OK with each other. Nematodes won't reproduce in this environment, however (based on 3 different studies I read). So leaving Nematodes out.

Anyone have a comment on this type of soil inoculation before planting?

 

[StrapAssassin42]

Did you proceed with this method?

What stops the nematodes?

 

[Seaf0ur]

Have you considered karanja or neem seed meal? seems like a good pest preventative N source......

And why wouldnt nematodes coexist? between S. Carpocapsae, S. Feltiae, and H. bacteriophora..... somebodies gotta live I'd think.....

 

[StrapAssassin42]

The nematodes should not attack fungus...I believe...or vice versa. Botanigard is a fungus...not bacteria.

 

[Granger2]

Nematodes work really well. Too well. They are very good at killing virtually every Root Aphid, Fungus Gnat larvae, etc., then they have no food supply, and in containers, they can't fan out and look for more. Without a food source, they mostly die off.

Use your other methods, and I like using todes in about the 3rd or 4th week of bloom because they are unlikely to leave enough survivors, if any, for the pests to multiply back to significant numbers before harvest. Buy your todes online so they will be viable. If they sit in you local store's fridge for a week, a large percentage will die off. After 10 days they're a waste of money. The todes you want are H. bacteriophora and S. Carpocapsae.

Also, I would use repeated apps of the beauvaria fungus [Botanigard or Mycotrol]. I prefer Mycotrol or Botanigard liquid-no spore dust to breathe. For your strategy to work, the medium will have to be kept moist till you plant.

Compatibility chart for Nemashield
http://www.bioworksinc.com/products/shared/compatibility-chart.pdf Doesn't list Pyrethrum or Pyrethrin, but says not harmed by Permethrin, so your tode buddies should be OK.
Good luck. -granger

 

[EclipseFour20]

My $0.02--

Botanigard should have zero to little effect on nematodes (mode of action).
Pyrethrin has a half-life that can be measured in hours, not in days and poses no long term issues. If PBO is added (not organic now) then there is a synergistic effect that extends the half-life from hours to days.
DE should have zero effect on nematodes. Dry DE might have a negative effect on "soil dwellers"--but since nematodes reside in the top 6" or so of the soil surface (where it is moist), doubtful the sharp diatoms will slice up any nematodes.

Anyone know why the concoction was originally applied? What pest(s) were the targets? Botanigard is rather pricey and other alternatives might be a wiser choice...just saying.

Cheers!

 

[StrapAssassin42]

Have you considered karanja or neem seed meal? seems like a good pest preventative N source......

And why wouldnt nematodes coexist? between S. Carpocapsae, S. Feltiae, and H. bacteriophora..... somebodies gotta live I'd think.....

I misunderstood when I wrote my last post.