I'm skeered of spider (mites)!

[momofdrew]

Steve the mites on the birds are the same size as red spider mites...you could use a duster to get the under sides of the plants...

 

[thistlebloom]

Yeah, I don't know why some folks assume that dishsoap would be gentle on a plant (or organic, for that matter).

Steve

I could be wrong, but I always thought soap sprays should be made from real soap, e.g. Ivory, as opposed to detergents which are harsh. Anybody know for sure?

I did a little internet digging on the soap versus detergent question and I discovered that the reason to use real
soap (Ivory, Fels-Naptha, castile etc. ) as opposed to detergents is because of the fatty acids from animal fats contained in soap.
Apparently that is what dissolves the exoskeleton. It only takes 1 teaspoon of soap to a quart of water. Oil may be added but is not necessary.
And since I read it on the internet it must be true!

 

[digitS']

A duster would be interesting to use. We had an ancient wood and canvas one at the greenhouses that was just kept around for conversation. It was old, 40 years ago.

I've seen ads for the one that's powered by a little gas engine and used by orchardists. It was in a farm supply catalog. Bayer has one that you can buy with a synthetic pesticide . . .

300 dahlias kind of means I can't use something that's too small.

I got the info on soap dilution from Colorado State - and it must have been after the dawning of the internet age. For me, that was at the very end of the 20th century. Also, I used to watch Gerry Baker but never could figure out hose-end sprayers. (I also found Mr. Baker a little hard to take seriously. I mean: bourbon, soap and birth control pills . Yeah, and throw in a golf ball!)

I use 5 quart sprayers these days and they get me far enuf around fairly large gardens. Here is what I suppose is CSU's most current info (click).

Steve

 

[momofdrew]

yeah I found Mr Baker hard to take also... urine and moutain dew??? come on now