Page 29 - IntraMuros November 2021
P. 29

GARDENING


            PROTECTING PLANTS AGAINST PESTS


                                                      By Elize Malan


                 “Toxins may be effective for a short period, but in most instances the problem will return,
                              because nature has the power to overrule” - Irmela Reichardt.


            esidues  of  pesticides/insecticides   Remember,  total  elimination  of  insects   Rain  will  wash  away  smell  and  oil  and
            can be found in a great variety of   is  not  the  goal  when  applying  poison.   treatment  needs  to  be  repeated.
       Reveryday  foods  and  beverages,     Controlling  the  damage  to  plants  is  the   Benefits are that fruit and vegetables can
        including  for  instance  cooked  meals,   general idea.                   be used within 48 hours. Children and
        water,  wine,  fruit  juices,  refreshments,                               pets  can  walk  in  garden  areas  without
        and animal feeds. Furthermore, it should   The following products can be considered   any  danger.  There  is  no  secondary
        be noted that washing and peeling cannot   as ‘safe’ for use in the home environment.  poisoning  and  beneficial  insects  can
        completely remove the residues. Ongoing                                    only be killed on direct contact. (Shake
        studies are proving without a doubt that   Neem oil                        the  bush  before  you  spray  and  not  a
        the use of chemical pesticides can cause   •  It  has  been  used  as  a  natural  pesticide   single bee will be killed).
        various  health  effects  and  diseases  in   for hundreds of years and can be found   •  Organic fungicides contain products such
        humans.                               in  many  products  used  in  our  homes,   as plant organic acids (activated ascorbic
                                              such  as  soaps  and  cosmetics.  It  is   acid) and are effective for treatment of
        We  do  not  really  know  what  insecticides   biodegradable  and  safe  for  birds,  pets   for example, powdery mildew, bacterial
        and  pesticides  are  being  used  during   and  fish,  and  only  targets  leaf  sucking   leaf spots and damping-off. Harvesting of
        food  production,  but  we  can  use  safe   and chewing insects. The oil kills insects   products can be done 24 hours after the
        options when treating insects in our own   at all stages of development and can be   last application.
        environment.                          used  for  aphids,  mites,  mealy  bug  and
                                              thrips, to name but a few.          Other remedies
                                             •  As a preventative fungicide, it is used for   •  A  liquid  dishwasher  soap  solution  can
                                              black  spot,  rust  and  powdery  mildew.   be  used  to  remove  aphids  from  plants.
                                              To kill fungi spray weekly until the fungi   The soapy water sprayed on foliage will
                                              clears up.                           damage  the  surface  of  plant  leaves  by
                                                                                   disintegrating  the  waxy  coating,  and
                                                                                   should not be used at all.
                                                                                  •  Homemade herbal sprays and tonics are
                                                                                   effective,  but  preparing  and  applying
                                                                                   them  as  a  preventative  spray  is  time
                                                                                   consuming.
                                                                                  •  Products  such  as  tobacco  dust  are
                                                                                   advertised  as  organic,  but  can  be
                                                                                   extremely toxic, especially for the person
                                                                                   applying the product.

                                                                                  At the end of the day, a walk in your garden
                                                                                  is the most effective pest deterrent. Your
                                                                                  power of observation will prevent serious
                                                                                  problems affecting the plants.

                                                                                           Tel: 012 804 1807
                                                                                           Fax: 012 804 0278
                                                                                      Web: www.garden-group.co.za
                                             Organic pesticides/fungicides.          Email: admin@garden-group.co.za
                                             •  The  active  ingredient  is  usually  a
                                              repellent such as garlic, canola oil and
                                              in  some  products,  natural  pyrethrum.
                                              These products have to be applied more
                                              often than their chemical counterparts.


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