Page 27 - SilverLakes_Issue 4_2022

GARDENING

KEEPING PLANTS HEALTHY

By Elize Malan

amage done to plants in the garden
by insects or fungus is often only
Dnoticed when it is an advanced
problem. Treating the damage can involve
numerous applications of poison.

While it’s unthinkable for us not to protect
our garden plants from the damage caused
by aphids, caterpillars and red spiders, it’s
important that we concentrate on insect
control and not elimination.
Fungicide Diatomaceous earth is a safe, non-toxic
Some insects have developed a tolerance Systemic or contact products are available way to control pests in the garden. It
against insecticides and are difficult to and some incorporate an insecticide is effective against all insect pests that
control. The main reasons for this are as well. I can’t emphasise enough the crawl on plants because contact with the
incorrect application, wrong dosage, importance of using organic pest control powder is extremely dehydrating. To use:
wrong poison and having insufficient products. Damage to the environment, Water plants, then dust with the powder.
information about a product before predator insects and your own health is The moisture will help the powder stick to
using it. limited by their use. plants better.

Treat garden plants early in the morning Organic insecticides and pesticides Biological pest control
or late in the afternoon in order to limit Neem oil is the go-to natural insecticide Beneficial insects are the best way to
damage to beneficial insects. in most parts of the world, thanks to its control pest infestations. Since they are
minimal effect on the environment and its the natural enemies of your pests, they
Contact insecticide low to non-existent toxicity for humans and will target exactly the issue that you are
This is applied with the aid of a mist spray pets. Used as an insecticide and also as a having.
to the plant. The minute droplets will fungicide, it can be applied as a foliar spray
reach all gaps, dips and hollows of the or, if needed, as a soil drench. There are companies that offer a wide
plant. It will kill all insects, good and bad, array of natural enemies, including
walking or crawling on the leaf surface or Margaret Roberts Organic Fungicide and predatory mites, parasitic wasps,
feeding on the leaves. When it rains or the Kirchhoffs Copper Count-N are well-known predatory insects, beneficial nematodes,
plant is irrigated by overhead sprayers, the organic products for use against fungus traps, pheromones and biostimulants.
poison is washed off. infections. Farmers growing products for export and
for organic markets derive great benefit
A new batch of insects will soon be visible from these.
on the plants that you treated. Without
the benefit of predator insects such as I think the home gardener will be using
lady bugs, praying mantis, lacewings or these products in the very near future.
hover flies they will multiply unchecked.
Tel: 012 804 1807
Systemic insecticide Fax: 012 804 0278
The products are sprayed on plants or Web: www.garden-group.co.za
applied to the soil surface surrounding Email: admin@garden-group.co.za
a plant. The poison is absorbed by the
plant tissue and can be effective for a
month or more. When used on trees, it
can be injected into the trunk of the tree.
Depending on the size of a tree, it can take
months before results are visible.

INTRAMUROS MAY 2022 | 25