Kimby, I certainly can't speak for other posters on here,but,it would seem that both Bixa and myself are offering advice which we both feel is less harmful to the environment. The products(s) of which you speak,from an environmental standpoint,simply have not been around long enough,for me,to feel comfortable with. As a fellow,"naturalist",I have strong convictions about this. My goal is to try and educate people as best I can, about alternatives,effective ones (perhaps,not with immediate gratification, as most of the other harsher products offer,which is also reason for me take great pause in using) that offer an easier,softer way for all living things. Perhaps,we can explore having an Organic Gardening thread on the board to be able to offer strictly organic gardening tips and tricks? That way ,we can avoid all this back and forth about these chemicals,which for me,is a waste of time.
I'm trying to find something that will kill the grass and weeds in my canna bed without hurting my flowers.
This is the request that generated the above replies, after bixa linked to this thread. It seems to me that what dahuffy was asking for could be addressed with Roundup. Unless the cannas are so dense that you can't get between them without touching them, too. In which case she's gonna have a hard time fitting newspapers in between the plants, too.
I came to this thread to post pictures of a problem. Wow -- it's always good to revisit old threads. I had totally forgotten the hint in #1 about using compost tea to deter rusts and powdery mildew.
Anyway ~~ something is boring into my hollyhock buds. When I processed the pictures last night, I noticed what might be the culprit snuggled atop the buds in the last picture. However, checking today in daylight, I don't see any caterpillars or anything.
I really had to look damn hard to find that green "prawn-like" monster camouflaged by the buds! Also notice a creamy colour spider or afid opposite the green hole! Don't think they would do any damage though.
Yes, I use diluted dish washing liquid . It's very versatile. Sometimes, depending on the degree of infestation, a shot of just plain water will do. Flies(all kinds) seem to have the same fondness for pale colored blooms as we do.
Casimira -- didn't you post somewhere about possums and raccoons getting to your citrus before you could enjoy it?
Also, if memory serves, it seems you said somewhere that your garden helper really like to use fish emulsion.
I recently re-furnished my book collection with Park's Success With Herbs, which is still a charming book. Browsing through it, I found a warning that fish emulsion can attract varmints, especially if it's used as a foliar feed. They'll destroy stuff by digging around looking for the yummy fish.
I've never had that experience that I know of, but thought I'd pass the tip along in case any of you think it might apply to your situations.
hm, i just discovered that apart from the black lice on my beans and nasturtium, there are lots of green lice on my rose and my peppers. I had been wondering why neither seems to grow very well. I rubbed some vinegar-water-washing liquid mixture on them (don't have a spraying bottle, gotta buy one), and hope that helps. someone else said water with cigarette filters in it - but mr. r. smokes iwthout filters. or maybe i should rather invest into the proper chemicals? they just are really expensive here...
also, my little maple tree has done a big jump and grown ten centimeters or more - but most of the new leaves are now covered in strange white spots, and don't look well at all. wonder what that is...
hm, figured out that what my maple has is probably mehltau - um, mildew in english maybe? removed all effected leafs and hope it gets better next year... maybe i should find it a place where it gets less wet in rain, but the choices of space aren't big on my balcony...
I think if you can find a place for it where it has light and air movement all around it, that could help.
Rikita, there is a new sub-board called "Home Turf". It would be super to see pictures of your balcony there, if you have the time to put together a thread.
As much as all gardeners love to look at coffee table book pictures of perfect gardens, I think we're all intensely interested in seeing how other gardeners cope with problems of space, sun or lack thereof, too much or too little water, etc. Creating any kind of a garden over the odds is immensely admirable, the process fascinating, and the results always interesting.
well it has light and air movement on the balcony, though some shade from the other plants too... maybe i should find a way to give it an elevated spot...
I'm wondering if I should take my flower pots (still not flowering) in during the week that I will be away from home. I'm afraid that if there is another heat wave, they will fry in the sun without water. I think they will be safer just sitting inside the kitchen for a week although they will get less light. Am I right?
Also Kerouac, I would try to place them out of direct daytime sun in your apartment. If you can set the pots on plates/pans and add some water for them to soak up if they get dry. Otherwise, Bonne Journee! Cheers, Mich
three of my four little carob trees have died. problem is i don't know why. they look they have dried - but i read not to overwater them, and also, since i checked one and didn't find much roots, i wonder if maybe even the water i gave them was too much and the roots did rot. so no idea whether to water the remaining one more, or less. that one still looks okay, it is the biggest and healthiest of the four, but i'd be really sad if that one died too...
rikita, I was wondering if perhaps the last one would bounce back if you gave the roots some growth hormone. There are different ones ( in a sort of pink powder form) for soft woods, hardwoods , etc.,). I use it a lot when planting slips like geranium. I dip the roots in water then into some of the powder, then straight into the soil. One can also keep the roots in a disolved solution until they show signs of shooting. Another thought is maybe the soil in the pot is not the correct PH balance? Maybe chuck it and start afresh. Good luck, let us know what transpires.
okay, gotta find out where to get the growth hormons, i suppose the specialised gardening shops... as for the soil, i so far always used the normal balcony/flowerpot soil that i buy in the flower shop. maybe they need a special type? must admit i don't tend to spend that much money on soil, as it can add up very quickly... what influences the ph balance and how do i find that out?
Opossums eating my figs. After nearly decimating my blood orange harvest, to now put up with this is sending me over the edge!!! Bixa,I read your post on using Fish emulsion possibly attracting varmints. The neighborhood cats do a scratch and sniff after I water with it,but,no other issues. I don't use it as a foliar feed,and I because I use it on almost every edible plant in my garden and don't have any problems with the f'ers eating my other crops,I can only surmise that I have gourmand opossums. Because of the location of the tree in the front of the house,my dog is doing his best to chase them off when he sees movement on or in the tree.
We have Hollyhocks each year which grow to about 7/8 feet tall and look great.... Problem is the leaves have lots of brown rustlike marks on them........ Can anyone help with what is causing this.....?
rikita, I was wondering if perhaps the last one would bounce back if you gave the roots some growth hormone. There are different ones ( in a sort of pink powder form) for soft woods, hardwoods , etc.,). I use it a lot when planting slips like geranium. I dip the roots in water then into some of the powder, then straight into the soil. One can also keep the roots in a disolved solution until they show signs of shooting. Another thought is maybe the soil in the pot is not the correct PH balance? Maybe chuck it and start afresh. Good luck, let us know what transpires.
An organic and FREE recipe for a superb rooting hormone is taking the bark or branches of willow,steeping them in water,preferrably rainwater but,it doesn't make that much difference. Anyway,after a week or two,depending on how much wood you add to the water,you will have a fabulous rooting hormone tea that stores easily in a glass or plastic jug.
I grow different coloured Arum lilies in pots for cut flower each year. I always feel that I don't get anywhere near enough flowers. How can I get potfuls?
Gee Mick, at least you got a few! I bought about 25 different colour arum bulbs from a street vendor some years back and planted them out where I thought they would thrive. Part shade, nice soil etc. To my disgust the moles moved in and scoffed the lot I think you have the best idea - pot them!
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After nearly decimating my blood orange harvest, to now put up with this is sending me over the edge!!!