homemade fungicide/pesticide

[Izzie]

FYI- I've seen a product almost exactly like that Zero Tolerance, sold at Whole Foods organic grocery. Pretty cheap, just something to think about. I've never used it.

[Masdyman]

I make my own white oil ,
White oil is a home made insecticide spray used for controlling a wide range of insect pests in the garden. The spray works by blocking the breathing pores of insects causing suffocation and death. It is effective in the control of aphids, scale, mealybug, mites, citrus leaf miner and smooth skinned caterpillars..the quantities vary depending on the source, but a typical mixture is 4 parts of vegetable oil to one part of dish-washing detergent (for washing by hand). Blend in a mixer until homogeneous and store. Dilute 1:50 with water for use, spraying leaves from above and below.

I believe in preventative measures so spray all plants when i feel the need ,say every month or so,not when i see the buggers .Hopefully this should keep most critters at bay obviously some will slip through at which stage i will spray them all .This is so cheap to make it doesn't matter how much is used and it last a long time stored ,i have had some for over a year now .I really should make another fresh batch though !

[frostedeyes]

i sometimes use veggie wash to clean my orchids... i dont know if its safe... but hey... we use it to clean veggies for salad... so i think its not harmful... anyway dats all.