Old Dog Learning Some New Tricks

[crucialbunny]

I've been pulling my hair out the past few weeks dealing with caterpillars devastating one of my plants that came into bud early.
Now that the rest of the crop is beginning to flower I have been finding more of them. I had no idea there was anything I could
do other than try and pick them off one by one because I am absolutely against using any type of insecticide on my garden. This
morning after reading the newspaper I pulled out my phone to catch-up on my emails. I see that my monthly GWE newsletter
is in there and it's all about pests. I scroll through until I see the section on caterpillars and begin to read about BT as an organic
natural defense against them. Being the natural skeptic that I am I did some research and found that it is indeed a proven safe and
natural defense against these voracious plant eaters. I was able to locate a nearby store that sold the product and picked up a bottle
of concentrate before I even had my second cup of coffee. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping this stuff will do the trick for my garden.

​​​​​​​I'd just like to take a moment to send out my thanks to NebulaHaze for her timely article and to all of you that contribute to this forum
and for the wealth of information you all provide on a daily basis.

 

[Going2fast]

Oh man I hate caterpillars. Lost two nice plants to them last year. They must like the smell of bud too.

 

[grouchyoldman]

You Did Good crucialbunny !

I've been using BT in my orchard for years to defeat the annual parachute drop of hungry worms from the surrounding oaks. Saturate your leaves, wait a couple of days then smile as you pick out the dead worms.

Be sure to do the triple wash of your buds when you harvest to remove any residual BT and worms. There has been controversy over BT, but the info I get from the local Ag Dept. leads me to believe it is safe and effective.

Another organic gardener weapon is Pyrethrin (or its synthetic version Permethrin). It will knock down a thrip infestation quickly.

 

[SoOrbudgal]

I've use BT for aphids on roses and other bushes never used it yet for weed, but i got some in garden cuboard. I hope i don't have to use it on the weed not because i don't trust it i just don't want the bug issue. I've always used mild dishsoap mix with water sprayed on lightly.