From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

We are going to start a Giant pumpkin 4-H club this year and I am concerned about insects and mildew. I don't feel comfortable encouraging the kids to work around pesticides. What are some of the products being used by the organic guys to control some of these pests. Has anyone used safers soap? Has any one used Bordeaux mixture to control mildew?
all suggestions appreciated
John

1/22/2006 12:04:00 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Safer Soap (pelargonic or potassium salts of fatty acids) will control Powdery Mildew if you can spray frequently enough. It isn't very effective on the big insect pests but it will probably help. You might look into BT or Rotenone sprays too.

1/22/2006 12:20:04 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Whole unprocessed Milk controls PM. I'd have to look up the rate.

Armicarb is another PM option.

1/22/2006 12:21:10 AM

Norton, MA

Isn't the actual active ingredient in Warrior T organic, sort of? It's the stuff that makes it stick to the leaves that is a chemical I think. That's what I've heard. AleX Noel.

1/22/2006 11:35:22 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Lambda-cyhalothrin belongs to the pyrethroid family of insecticides. Pyrethroids are the synthetic version of pyrethrum.

Pyrethrum is found the juice of Chrysanthemums. By itself pyrethrum doesn't kill insects but does stun their nervous system. To make pyrethrum toxic enough to kill insects requires the addition of a synergyst like piperonyl butoxide (PBI). The other option is to synthesize the pyrethrum which is what most modern insecticides are today.

Pyrethroids are NOT organic even if they are "low impact" in their nature.

1/22/2006 2:44:28 PM

Williamsport, Pa.

neem oil

1/23/2006 8:01:16 PM

Montoursville, PA

Neem Oil is certified organic. It is derived from the Neem Tree. Baking soda can be added to it at the rate of Two tablespoons full per gallon of mix.

Neem Oil is a natural insecticide, fungicide and miticide. One must follow directions, on the label, to apply correctly. The lable indicates no additives. Practice and experience has led us, to know Baking Soda is OK and will not cause problems with the use, of Neem Oil.

1/23/2006 8:14:50 PM

Webster, NY

Don't they use neem oil on baseball gloves?????

DAve

1/23/2006 11:04:27 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Neem Oil is another good option for the patch. But I think Neat's Foot Oil is what we want for the glove. It's Neat's Foot is an oil that is removed from the hooves of horses that have joined the glue workers union. Neem is a cool biological extract of the tropical Neem Tree.

1/24/2006 11:26:00 AM

ENGLAND

I have asked for Neem Oil in every conceivable place one would think may have it here in the UK and no one has ever heard of it, not even the organic sindries supply companies.

Regards
Mike

1/24/2006 1:14:09 PM

Montoursville, PA

Mike..........gee min 'e crickits I don't know what, to say. One would think it had world wide distribution. I has been on the market here at least since the 1920's. My dad told folks he always used it. He would grind garlic into it. He had some folk lore reason for doing that. Some folks still do that.

1/24/2006 1:38:05 PM

ENGLAND

Doc, i am sorry to say that it is true, nowhere to be found over here. If it comes down to the wire i may have to enquire about finding out the cost of getting some bought & Shipped from your Great Country. We have a while to go yet until it's use would be neccessary therefor i may hit the jackpot between now and then.

Cheers Doc
Regards
Mike

1/24/2006 4:29:32 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

there are many articles on baking soda, for PM

1/24/2006 9:48:52 PM

Mocksville, NC

Pumpkin Mike www.lowes.com they have neems oil, and I'm sure they send to England the mother country.
Rog

1/25/2006 8:23:29 AM

ENGLAND

Cheers Rog, i will take a look and report back if i have any success.

Regards
Mike

1/25/2006 11:04:30 AM

ENGLAND

Rog
I went to the Lowes Website and did a site search, no product available according to the search. In the mean time i have found the reason why we cannot obtain Neem Oil here in the UK. Typically it's UK regulations AGAIN, take a look at this
http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=1355

Regards
Mike

1/25/2006 3:35:47 PM

ENGLAND

SUCCESS, after searching even more i have at last found a stockist of Neem Oil here in the UK.......
http://www.theneemteam.co.uk/acatalog/Outdoor.html

Will take you straight to it. I hope this may have helped any other UK growers who have been searching for Neem Oil.

Regards
Mike

1/25/2006 4:56:07 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Mike,

This stuff looks like a skin applied insect repellent. Looking at the list of ingredients & I wouldn't apply it to plants tissue.

clip_____________________________

Herbal Outdoor Spray

Aqueous Extract of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Leaf*, Aloe Barbadensis Gel*, Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Juniperus Mexicana (Cedarwood) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybridia Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil, Sodium Acrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Thymus Zygis (White Thyme) Oil.
* Certified Organic Ingredients.
Cruelty Free. TheraNeem products are never tested on living creatures.

1/25/2006 10:46:32 PM

ENGLAND

Steve, and others. If you scroll the page just a little you will see this....

Clip------------
Neem Oil for use in the Garden
Control those nuisance bugs with eco-friendly Neem Oil for the Garden. Can be used to control aphids and flies (in greenhouses & garden sheds), Black Spot, rusts, mildew, and mites - without damaging the environment - or having an adverse effect on birds, fish, spiders, bees, butterflies or earthworms. Will also deter slugs from feeding. The principal active ingredient and insect-repelling constituent of Neem Oil is Azadirachtin (See our section 'What is Neem?')
Our Neem Oil has very high purity, with an Azadirachtin content of >1500 ppm, guaranteed free of Aflatoxin.
Economical in use, dilute as follows:
5ml (1 tsp) in 1 Litre water
20ml (4 tsp) in 4 Litres ~ 1 Gallon
1 bottle (470ml) in 60L water (1 Acre)
Neem Oil for the garden is 100% pure cold-pressed Neem Oil, but not as refined as our Neem Oil for topical application. Think of it as the difference between Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.


Now, i do believe that by looking at the dilution rates they are giving it must surely be for application on the plants themselves. Also the words '100% pure cold-pressed Neem Oil' suggests that there are no other ingredience in it. If this is not the 'Neem Oil' to use then what is in, or rather not in, the Neem Oil used for application to Plants ???

Regards
Mike

1/26/2006 4:50:29 AM

ENGLAND

The exact same product, as mentioned imediately above, can be found here.....
http://www.theraneem.com/products.html#garden

This is a US Website/Supplier and is the supplier to the Company here in the UK. Therefor i think that just about concludes the search for Neem Oil and it's use in the Garden.

Regards
Mike

1/26/2006 4:04:00 PM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

This is fantastic stuff guys! So the neem oil is for insect control or PM, or both. I guess If I mix Saefer Soap, Neem oil, Baking soda and milk, i'd have a heck of a potion. I have done some initial investigation for this product in Canada but so far no luck. I will keep trying....

1/27/2006 6:59:03 PM