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addison Il

sis who is also my partener in this new sport for me has a rare eye condition and in order to save her eyesight must stay away from all types of chemicals with miracle grow being the only exception now Im scared can I grow big without the use of pestisides would if I encounter these pests we all hate what to do would rather not risk anything with sis being my partener and her eyesight is much more important to me but this is so addticting and we love it so far does anyone have any advice or tips that can help me keep it safe and fun for me and my sis I dont want to be excluded because of the no chemical thing help if you can anything is better then trying nothing when the bugs come and they do
thanks newbie grower tracy aka curvy one and her sis and partner princess

5/13/2005 10:50:51 PM

Sioux Falls, SD garyboer@dakotalink.com

is sis gonna eat this pumpkin?
sprinkle some grubex granules and water
don't see how this will get to sis??????

5/14/2005 12:01:52 AM

Oz

GET SIS A COTTON OMPALOOPA SUIT.
AND GLOVES.
There are natural ferts that could be used.

5/15/2005 10:13:10 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Tracy, It's time for a word with Princess' doctor. If the materials we use on our pumkins would make your sister blind then she couldn't eat any commercial produce. I suspect some misinformation has crept into this picture somehow.

5/15/2005 4:55:17 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Miracle Grow is one of the worst things for a garden. I agree with the others. Your carpet and couch have more toxic chemicals than the average pumpkin plant gets. Lets not get me started on Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softner. We use all natural products for our Home and Garden. With the giant pumpkins being the only exception.

5/16/2005 9:26:00 AM

addison Il

thanks for the help and Im not saying shes affected by all chemicals but there are some exceptions the doctors told my sis to stay away from chem lawn and or all spray on chemicals which includes all pesticides and pest controls because of the risk of eye irratation when we get something in our eyes we flush it out and tear up and recover when shes if ever gets something in her eyes its instant er and a visit to the eye doctor once again. Im not saying she cant be around the stuff Im saying god forbid she touches a plant with chemicals on it and accidentely wipes her face or near her eyes things go bad real bad we as a family have chose never to use chemicals for our lawn or gardens and unless theres a real bad infestation we will strive to not use chemicals some say its imposible but we say never give up unless you try everything and if it comes down to it I will spray and tell her to stay away from the garden ruining her passion for growing these giants but that is a last result I was hopeing experienced peaple would give me advice on organic bug control what I did not expect was critism and comments I needed advice and unless you have someone with a rare eye dieses you have no clue what I can and can not use. she will not eat the pumpkins and I am optimistic with the right care and advice we as sisters will grow a big one without chemicals whos to say we cannot anything goes when your growing giants right lol
thanks anyways curvy1 and princess

5/16/2005 6:16:33 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

My criticism (if it was taken that way) was intended to be constructive. It wasn't intended to be hurtful. If you took it that way I appologize.

There is nothing natural that will control Squash Vine Borers. But if this is the first year growing Cucurbita, they might not be in your area yet & you could get just plain lucky.

Likewise Cucumber Beetles. But you might want to try some pheromone lace sticky traps place well away from your AGs. You could even try researching this website for some of the sacrificial crops that can be planted nearby.

Powdery Lidew CAN be controlled or at least supressed with natural products. Baking Soda at 1 Tablespoon per gallon of water applied every other day offers some control. Adding a superior summer horticultural oil makes it work even better. But check with the docotor first.

M-Pede Insecticidal & Fungicidal Soap might offer some supression of Cucke Beetles & SVBs if your timing is good. It DOES control Powdery Mildew but you should watch using it during warm weather as plant damage can result. Again, check with the doctor.

Unprocessed whole milk can also be applied every day or two also controls Powdery Mildew. It is diluted with water at a rate that escapes me but a site search here will point you in the right direction.

I can supply MSDS for you to give the doctor of many of these items so the doctor can review them before deciding which are safe enough for use around your sister. Send me a private email detailinh which items you need. Don't request "all of them" if you like your email provider. LOL

continued

5/16/2005 10:04:26 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Try to understand my frustration here. Despite their "expertise" most physicians that I know who deal with these matters rarely have access to real toxicology data. Nor will they take the time to do their own research on potential toxins. Rather they too often make irresponsible broad based statements in matters they have no formal training. Organic chemistry & toxicology has almost nothing to do with opthomolgy & is NOT reqwuired training for this discipline.

There are several physicians of who I am aware that frequent this site & practice our hobby. I don't know of even one of them who is "100% natural organic".

The key to safely growing these things in a way that is still rewarding is to use the tools that are required to deliver the desired result in a safe & responsible manner. Read all the lables & please also read every post I ever made about pesticide safety. I've been certified as a commercial applicator for over 20 years & have represented a large distributor for the past 15 years. Due to a keen sense of professional responsibility & my own incurable neurological disease, I have studied toxicology & this subject exhaustively for many years.

Please also visit my clubs website. Look in the "how to" section for links that might prove useful.

www.ctpumpkin.com

Steve

5/16/2005 10:05:25 PM

addison Il

thanks you for clarifying yourself and I do appreciate advice on all matters and I am thinking on using sevrin for control but only if things get ugly and only if sis is not nearby it stated on the package as long as its allowed to dry then all should be well and if need be I will have my sis wear goggles and gloves just as extra precation. growing these giants takes time love and experince but with peaple helping me along the way things should be good for me and sis thank you for your message and I will take all things said from now on as constuctive advice likewise please do not think me mean I am in fact a friendly girl who puts her sister and partener above all else good growing wishes too all and grow em big
curvy1 and princess

5/17/2005 12:15:49 AM