John’s homemade fungicides and insecticides

Originally aired September 6, 2008.

Save money with these helpful formulas!

Fungicide for blackspot, powdery mildew, other disease:
1 T. baking soda
half a spoon liquid soap
gallon of water

If you’ve got a plant that normally has powdery mildew or some other fungal problems, use this to prevent them. Or, apply when you see signs of fungus to prevent its spread.  Do not apply in apply in the sun, especially in summer, since you could burn the plant.  It’s advisable to test a leaf or two; wait 24 hours, and if all is okay, spray the plant in early morning or evening hours. Generally fungal problems happen in cooler weather (or as the nights get cool) anyway, but it’s best to avoid in direct sunlight.

Insect control (aphids, white fly, scale, mealy bugs)
Rubbing alcohol

Use straight, and with a cotton ball or swap, wipe a plant clean to rid if of aphids, mealy bugs, scale, and white fly.  You can apply it directly it to the insect.  Or, you can mix it in a sprayer—about half a cup of alcohol in a quart of water to spray a highly infested plant.  Once again, use caution and test on a plant first before spraying its leaves and do not apply in direct sunlight if you’re spraying the leaves.  If you are just daubing the insects, you should be fine. 

Insect control (spider mites, aphids, mealy bugs, others)
3 tablespoons liquid soap
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
gallon of water

Again, do not apply in direct sunlight.  With oil, it’s better not to apply when temperatures are over 85º. 

Aspirin to build up plant defenses, extend life of cut flowers

Crush up one aspirin for a gallon of water.

Dowse the plant. Acetylsalicylic acid is something that the plants produce anyway, and that’s what’s in the aspirin right here. 

Put an aspirin in your cut flower vase to extend their life.

Vinegar for fire ants

When you clean your coffee pot with vinegar, while it’s still hot in the container, dowse the fire mound.  The vinegar mixes with the calcium in the soil and turns it into carbon dioxide.  The carbon dioxide sinks down through the hole in the mound, and it asphyxiates the queen. 

Earthworm castings for vigorous plant growth in-ground or for containers

University tests show that a 40% or 20% mix in potting soil, earthworm castings makes plants more resistant to disease and insects.  Use them in your garden and in containers to naturally promote their health.