Diatomaceous Earth Usage?

[heirloomtomaguy]

Yeah it should be written clearly on the package if it is food grade or not.

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by efisakov

Few years ago Robin posted this:
RobinB: “…diatomaceous earth and an empty spray bottle, put one T of DE into a 32oz bottle, fill with water and shake until the DE dissolves. Then spray those plants with spider mites. When it dries you will see a white film on the plant. Reapply after it rains.”

It worked for me.

For the fungus gnats larvae ...
I use mixture of water and Peroxide (4 to 1) on my seedlings 1-2 times a week for prevention or to stop infestation. Just watering soil.
I do dust soil of seedlings with DE as well.

In the garden, marigolds help with fungus gnats. The roots are poisoned to larvae.

I got to thinking while I was transplanting some seedlings. Using the Hydrogen Peroxide while seedlings are in the house would work good I think, but what about when they are transplanted. Will the hydrogen peroxide kill off the good bacteria in the Tomato Tone?

Originally Posted by heirloomtomaguy

Yeah it should be written clearly on the package if it is food grade or not.

Good and Thank you very much!

[jbond007]

Here's what I use for application.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00
...and yes, use food grade. I use this for both DE and Sodium Bicarb (for mold).

[RayR]

Originally Posted by Starlight

I got to thinking while I was transplanting some seedlings. Using the Hydrogen Peroxide while seedlings are in the house would work good I think, but what about when they are transplanted. Will the hydrogen peroxide kill off the good bacteria in the Tomato Tone?

Hydrogen Peroxide is used as a disinfectant, it will kill bacteria and fungi and reacts with other organic matter that come in contact with it. It's not persistent, so if you don't use it after you use Tomato-Tone, that wouldn't be a problem.

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by RayR

Hydrogen Peroxide is used as a disinfectant, it will kill bacteria and fungi and reacts with other organic matter that come in contact with it. It's not persistent, so if you don't use it after you use Tomato-Tone, that wouldn't be a problem.

I was hoping you would see my post Ray. That's what I was thinking. Glad I asked to make sure as my little seedlings are ready for their first transplant and some TT.

Originally Posted by jbond007

Here's what I use for application.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00
...and yes, use food grade. I use this for both DE and Sodium Bicarb (for mold).

Appreciate the link. Now I know what kind of packaging to look for.

[jpop]

Any ideas if DE will work to prevent tomato russet mites or suck bugs?

[b54red]

Originally Posted by jpop

Any ideas if DE will work to prevent tomato russet mites or suck bugs?

Used like I describe in my above post it should work on them since it effectively eliminated spider mites and aphids in my garden last summer without frequent use. Every other method of controlling spider mites has required very frequent spraying, sometimes as often as every 2 or 3 days, to get them under control and the same for aphids. There is one drawback other than the mixing process and that is you will effectively get rid of any beneficial insects until the DE is washed off. Right now I wouldn't consider using it in my garden because it is chock full of ladybugs but they usually leave along with most other beneficials when it heats up good and as a result the pests start taking over. That is when I start using my mix of DE, soapy water and Permethin. I usually start with one good spraying followed by another a week later to get the pests back under control and then after heavy rains or every 3 to 4 weeks until the late fall.

Bill

[jpop]

Originally Posted by b54red

Used like I describe in my above post it should work on them since it effectively eliminated spider mites and aphids in my garden last summer without frequent use. Every other method of controlling spider mites has required very frequent spraying, sometimes as often as every 2 or 3 days, to get them under control and the same for aphids. There is one drawback other than the mixing process and that is you will effectively get rid of any beneficial insects until the DE is washed off. Right now I wouldn't consider using it in my garden because it is chock full of ladybugs but they usually leave along with most other beneficials when it heats up good and as a result the pests start taking over. That is when I start using my mix of DE, soapy water and Permethin. I usually start with one good spraying followed by another a week later to get the pests back under control and then after heavy rains or every 3 to 4 weeks until the late fall.

Bill

Thank you B54. Would you mind sharing your mix ratios