Organic Gardening Tips » organic insect control

Having trouble with my Gladiolas this year

Tricia — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:31:43 +0000

I haven’t grown Gladiolas for a few years, but this spring when I saw packages of lovely coral and chartreuse colored corms I thought it was time to plant some Gladiolas in the garden again. Plus, it didn’t hurt that I’d had a few plants die off in the last few years so I had some small bare spots in my garden beds that would be suitable for some lovely Gladiolas.

The Gladiolas started growing in June and sometime in mid-July I noticed that the stalks were really growing, indicating that they were going to flower soon. Unfortunately, just before the first flower stalk began to flower it literally fell over. I’ve never had that happen with any of my Gladiolas before.

Slowly as my Gladiolas began to bloom the flower stalks started to fall over. I’d go over to my plants and try to stand them up again. I even put flower rings around my two clumps of Gladiolas in my garden beds to help them stand better but I’m still having problems.

I’d originally thought that it was the drought that we were going through in July that was causing the problems with the Gladiolas, but I picked a lovely blooming stalk toward the end of July for my husbands uncle and several earwigs fell off as I was carrying the stalk toward the house.

Now I’m starting to think that my Gladiolas might be infested with earwigs! I’ve seen a few earwigs on the Gladiolas since that time, but without giving the plants a good shake they could be hiding deep within the plants. I think it’s quite possible that they’re eating the stalk from the inside out and that’s why the stalks are falling over.

I’ve read on other gardening sites that the best way to control earwigs is to pick them off the plants and crush them and or to go out after dark armed with a flashlight and look at your plants and if you find a plant infested with lots of earwigs spray them with a mixture of soap and water. The soap (just a little dish soap) will kill the earwigs.

A few earwigs in the garden can be beneficial as they will eat pest bugs and garden debris, but if they begin to multiply they will literally destroy nice plants and become pests themselves.

Do you have an organic way to get rid of earwigs?

Organic Living Club – Hour 1, Part 3 (3/31/08)

Tricia — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:46:13 +0000

Hour 1, Part 3 of 5

Duration : 0:9:59

2 in 1 AnimalGard

Tricia — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:30:03 +0000

Protects Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, Trees, Shrubs and Grass 2 in 1 AnimalGard Perfectly Natural 2 in 1 AnimalGard is the safe and effective way to protect all your lawn and garden items from rabitts and squirrels while also protecting from moisture loss (one of the more common reasons for failed indoor plants) and disease. Using only natural and organic ingredients, 2 in 1 AnimalGard has proven to be the most effective natural product available.In addtion to its repelling effect 2 in 1 AnimalGard also contains anti-transpirant properties that protect your plants from drying out and disease. The handy spray bottle makes it easy to use, indoors or out. 1 – 24 Ounce Bottle – Ready to Use. Testimonials: * Dana Scouten, owner of Scouten’s Orchards in Pennsylvania, tells us that, by using 2 in 1 AnimalGard insect repellent, he has reduced his use of chemical insecticides to only one. He has also been able to extend his spraying intervals, thus saving money. Mr. Scouten says that is especially effective against European red mites, and that 2 in 1 AnimalGard he has virtually eliminated that pest from his orchard. * At the “”Priceless Parrot Preserve”" in New York, owners Gene & Marietta Avery say that 2 in 1 AnimalGard is the only product they can use near their birds, most of which are endangered species list. The Averys tell us that 2 in 1 AnimalGard not only eliminates their whitefly problem, but that it also keeps deer from eating their protective shrubbery and keeps squirrels away. * A tulip grower in Northeast dips bulbs in 2 in 1 AnimalGard concentrate before planting them, and tells us it’s worked in keeping moles and other pests from destroying them. * A grower in the Northeast has been using 2 in 1 AnimalGard to control whiteflies & aphids on his hops vines. * In California, a homeowner who had squirrels destroying his persimmons found that 2 in 1 AnimalGard is the only product that keeps them away. (In Florida, it’s mangoes that 2 in 1 AnimalGard is saving

Safe and Natural Ant Control

Tricia — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:30:08 +0000

This video explores some ways to safely and effectively manage ant infestations within the home.

Duration : 0:1:28

Neem Oil

Tricia — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:20:02 +0000

A superb way to safely and naturally control most plant pests without using toxic chemicals. Works great on aphids, spider mites, white flies, scale, mealy bugs, and over 400 species of damaging insects without harming you, your garden’s beneficial insects or the environment. Neem oil is derived from the Neem tree. The tree grows throughout India and has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. You’ll find neem used in everything from skin preparations to toothpaste, so you can be assured of its safety. Many insects, however, find neem very uninviting. It suppresses the reproductive cycle in pests, inhibits feeding, and mechanically smothers developing eggs and larvae. Easy to use, just mix with some water and a touch of liquid soap and spray on your plant’s foliage. Neem works best when applied several times at about 10 to 14 day intervals. Some plants are sensitive to neem oil so always spot check an area of foliage before spraying the entire plant. Great stuff! We use it in our own greenhouses as a part of our organic integrated pest management. 8 Ounce Pure Neem Oil

Organic Living Club – Hour 1, Part 2 (3/31/08)

Tricia — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:00:06 +0000

Hour 1, Part 2 of 5

Duration : 0:9:59

Organic Gardening – Weed Control

Tricia — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:00:11 +0000

To view the next video in this series click: http://www.monkeysee.com/play/10840

Duration : 0:6:1

Garden Dust Controls Insects & Disease

Tricia — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:26:05 +0000

This organic copper sulfate and rotenone dust effectively treats common plant disease, like powdery mildew and blights and also controls insects! Can be used on vegetables, flowers and small fruits as well as shade, ornamental, and fruit trees. 1 lb.

Super Dooper Beetle Scooper

Tricia — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:32:06 +0000

Kentucky market gardener Ken Waters has invented a simple insect collection and trapping device for small organic farmers and gardeners. See http://organic.kysu.edu/BeetleScooper.html.

Duration : 0:2:43

Organic Mosquito Controls

Tricia — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:22:04 +0000

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