Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
"One microscopic spore is capable of recreating an entire colony of mould." applications are recommended to maximize the effectiveness of whichever active ingredient is chosen for utilization. Every three days an infested garden should receive regular treatments to disrupt breeding cycles amongst plant pests. Once a problem is considered controlled, apply one to three more applications for insurance purposes, to prevent re-infestation. The majority of many crop infesting insects are apt to develop immunities to those who insist on using the same treatments over and over again. Always change up pesticide regiments by active ingredient to minimize resistance and tolerance build-up. If plants are in their beginning stages of life when a bug problem occurs, anywhere from clone to mature vegetative growth, submersing the entirety of the plant structure apart from for the root mass is optimal. This method allows complete uniform coverage of all possible contact points where bugs are possibly present and feeding. It also aids in rinsing away a vast amount of viable eggs that are attached to the plant in many areas inaccessible to foliar penetration, such as the under sides of leaves. Upon selecting the proper foliar treatments for your garden, always consider a wetting agent to incorporate with the spray. Wetting agents, also known as surfactants, help to emulsify the many oil-based control products into the water of which it is diluted. Along with using tepid to luke-warm temperature water for oil-based applications, the surfactant will allow the spray to maximize coverage 32
MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - November/December 2009
of surface area on the leaf, rather than bead up and roll off the exterior. Vitality boosters like seaweed or kelp complexes, B-vitamins and silica supplements are great additions to blend with your choice of foliar treatment. Along with the insecticidal effects of the pesticide, the other additions promote healthy metabolism and immunity function to maintain productivity and overcome the stress of insect attacks. Indifferent from bug attacks, but considered just as detrimental, fungal problems can appear out of nowhere. This can be extremely frustrating to any grower due to the fact initial discovery of certain moulds or fungus usually means it has been present in abundance for a while without identification. Powdery Mildew, an extremely common form of a nuisance fungal attack, will seek refuge in any high humidity, low airflow situation. Destroying many fruit and flower bearing plants after much hard work has been spent creating it, this mould is extremely hard to rid gardens of. Patches of this fungus appear on foliage and fruits causing undesirable aromas, flavours and physical appeal. Roses and squash are particularly favoured by these reproductive spores, and once infected steps similar to that of a pesticide regiment should put into effect to combat the fungus. Neem oil complexes provide both properties of anti-fungal and natural pesticide all in one bottle; other companies have synthesized bacterial solutions that counteract the fungal production on the tissue surface itself. Whole milk actually serves as one of the best household remedies that give impressive results upon application. For foliar or submersible treatments, dilute one tablespoon of fresh whole milk into a quart of high quality, preferably distilled water. This easy solution serves as an effective cheap treatment, but should never be over applied. Sulphur-based products are equally effective as anything else, but they carry over the staining smell of sulphur to your garden. For larger, mature gardens that are unable to receive steady foliar treatments, sulphur vaporizers, also known as sulphur burners, provide immediate coverage to all possible points of a garden if given the proper dispersion time. Flooding the infected area with sulphur fumes, the mildew refuses to co-exist in the same atmosphere where sulphur is present, and can easily be knocked out of commission. The problem gardeners have with combating mildew production is that one microscopic spore is capable of recreating an entire colony of mould. Airborne, these spores will multiply through gardens covering walls, equipment and anything in contact with the grow room. Thorough sterilization is imperative if mildew occupies more than half of the garden. Ozone generators are known for sterilization purposes, but have never made a vast impact for me when used to combat powdery mildew. Train yourself to possess clean habits and practices when in and around your garden. Transferring equipment or plants from