organic method for getting rid of leaf miners?
novice_2009
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (45)
Kimmsr
14 years agoKimmsr
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Organic gardeners--how do you get rid of pests??
Comments (25)scottamuss, Thanks. I'll go ahead and post it here... By the way, I feel soil quality is more important than water. Far too many gardeners over water. Take the time to learn that there is not a "cure all" for every pest at every stage of it's life cycle. Some won't work if it's going to rain. Some don't work well if it's too hot, etc. Pest management is complex, if you wish to use chemical products, do so responsibly which goes further than reading the label. If you want to learn, a good place to start is here: Integrated Pest Management This lecture is presented in two parts. Each part is 90-minutes in length. Recorded in Sacramento County in California's Sacramento Valley, this lecture is by Mary Louise Flint, Ph.D., Director, IPM Education and Publications, UC Statewide IPM Project and Extension Entomologist & Cooperative Extension Specialist. Education: B.S. Plant Science, University of California, Davis Ph.D. Entomology, University of California, Berkeley Appointment: 100% Cooperative Extension Research Interests: Integrated pest management of landscape, agricultural and garden pests; biological control of arthropod pests; alternatives to pesticides; adoption of alternative practices by practitioners; innovative delivery of pest management information. Topics discussed in the Integrated Pest Management Lecture: * IPM references and resources * Preventing pest problems * Natural common enemies * Making less toxic pesticide choices * Controlling aphids, scales, caterpillars, coddling moths, tree borers, snails and slugs, and lawn insects. You can watch the programs now online: Just make sure you have Real Player installed or download it free. Integrated Pest Management Part1 90 minutes Integrated Pest Management Part 2 90 minutes You'll want to bookmark the following link to Professor Flint's Lab Research on: Controlling Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Vegetables and Melons I promise you'll learn one or two things to put in your gardening bag of pest management arsenals. ;) On Watering Some people want to customize the water for every plant. It's ambitious to try to give each plant the exact amount of water it needs but not practical or necessary. Even if someone gave you a chart, it would still depend on the quality and friability of your soil as well as the stage of the plant. So long as you have good drainage, the plants will take what water they need. General rule of thumb is that gardens require one inch of water per week by supplementing rainfall. You will have to adjust throughout the season and be attentive to the amount of rainfall you receive each week. There are two schools of thought on watering. Frequent shallow waterings or less frequent long, deep waterings. The general rule of thumb is that mature plants need 1-2 inches of rain per week in summer. You should provide whatever portion of this moisture is lacking. One inch of rain equals 65 gallons per 100 square feet of garden space. But this is just a guide. Time of the season, stage of the plants, soil composition, and many other factors affect the amount of water required. Be consistent during fruit production. Mulched plants require less water than plants that are not mulched. Raised beds require more than non-raised beds. If a good amount of compost is incorporated into the soil, less water is needed. Compost holds 6 times it's weight in water. Watering too frequently and too heavily is just as hard on plants as too little water. Roots require oxygen just as much as they require water and nutrients. Dry winds dehydrate plants. Cooler temps require less water. Those using drip irrigation whether from a soaker hose or milk jug are likely getting the best use of their water which is going right where it needs to go and the ground has time to absorb it. There are hundreds of methods of watering. Whatever you do, just be consistent. But I do agree, twice a day sounds like too much. Roots require oxygen equally as much as they require nutrients and water. I personally believe in a couple of deep waterings per week with the use of 2 inches of mulch to reduce evaporation and maintain a more stable soil temperature. Plants recover from dehydration much better then they ever recover from the roots being suffocated by drowning so under watering is better than over watering until you get the hang of it. Oxygen is equally as important as water and nutrients and rain water is always better than municipal tap water....See MoreOrganic remedy for Citrus Leaf Miners?
Comments (8)I support the do nothing approach. Any treatments are short-term and generally only effective after damage is detected. Most pests are attracted to flushes of growth. On fruiting trees this is most prominent on water sprouts (non-fruiting). Remove the water sprouts and any vigorous growth located blow the graft union (undesirable fruit any way). Limit pruning to once per year and leave damaged leaves in place since still feeding the tree. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilization which contributes to the flush. Select companion plants that host beneficial insects. Review the soil analysis to ensure balance and that there is suitable availability of micro and trace nutrients. Good luck....See MoreHow do I get rid of leaf miners?
Comments (2)Sadbuttrue, we've commented about CLM probably a 100 times on our forum :-) Just search for "Citrus Leafminer" and you'll see my posts, as well as many other forum members' posts on controlling CLM. First off, don't cut off the leaves. That does nothing to control the issue, and robs your trees of precious leaves needed to conduct photosynthesis. CLM only affects the newer, more tender leaves, the larvae cannot penetrate the older leaves when they hatch. CLM control is a matter of timing. You're way past the season, now, and what you're seeing is the residual leaf damage caused by the larvae of the CLM moth, which has long left the leaf. Start your treatment in July if you live in California or Arizona (you don't mention where you live, or have it in your GardenWeb Zone field, which helps us a lot, so consider adding that, see mine, above.) If you are in the Gulf states, you're going to need to start treating in March, as the Gulf States have CLM issues twice a year, spring and then in later summer. If you also search your state's extension information, you'll get timing for treatments. Patty S. Here is a link that might be useful: UC IPM: Citrus Leafminer...See Morehow to get rid of leaf minors on boxwood
Comments (17)I think that IPM man is trying to make a point, egrety, that the term 'organic' can be a difficult one to nail down. It truly means so many different things to different people. In the true chemical sense, the term 'organic' refers to substances with carbon atoms as part of their structure. Others use the term to indicate substances that are natural (not made-made). To some, the word means something that was once living. Lots of folks use it to indicate (so called) non-chemical pesticides, (so called) safe pesticides, etc. What do YOU mean when you use the word "organic'? Regarding the pruning question...luckily, boxwood is one of the many plants that respond very well to hard pruning, and can even be cut all the way to the ground in one fell swoop in what is called 'rejuvenation pruning'. Rejuvenation pruning is often more desirable than shearing or stubbing, which may result in deformed shrubs. Whether or not you want to take on the task is a matter of personal choice. Shrubs that have been cut all of the way back usually grow back robustly and evenly, often being far more attractive than ever. However, it may take awhile, depending on how tall you wish your plants to be. And plants aren't going to grow as rapidly in Woodbridge as they might in a warmer climate. And then there's the very real possibility (a likelihood) that the leaf miners will return again to wreak havoc on your recovering boxwood. It is very difficult to control a pest when you are providing them with THE plant they prefer above all others. Please do some research about the efficacy of neem oil. You'll learn that not only does it provide a barrier that may repel the adults from laying eggs and even reduce their life span and egg laying ability, but it also affects the life cycle of the larvae. It is considered an IGR (insect growth regulator) for those pests that feed on neem treated plant tissues. But be mindful of the fact that even a plant based, organic product such as neem still needs to be used with care. (This is true for anything you might use!) When used properly and according to label directions, it is safe and highly effective for the control of a wide variety of plant feeding pests...without providing a significant problem for beneficials. It also has some excellent disease fighting qualities, too....See Moreorganicguy
14 years agoKimmsr
14 years agoredwolf
14 years agoorganicguy
14 years agonovice_2009
14 years agoJAYK
14 years agoKimmsr
14 years agonovice_2009
14 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years agoronalawn82
14 years agonovice_2009
14 years agoKimmsr
14 years agoMichael
14 years agomarkmein
14 years agoKimmsr
14 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years agoKimmsr
14 years agomarkmein
14 years agoKimmsr
14 years agoKimmsr
14 years agogargwarb
14 years agodmcecchini
14 years agoemcalister1
14 years agoscholl734
14 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years agomarkmein
14 years agonovice_2009
14 years agojaxonj_att_net
13 years agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
13 years agodicot
13 years agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
13 years agotoadshade
13 years agoKimmsr
13 years agobhart
13 years agokmhlhg
12 years agogrowitorganically
12 years agomackel_in_dfw
12 years agojolj
12 years agojolj
11 years agohopeforthefuture3
9 years agoKimmsr
9 years agodclasikwashington
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
Related Stories
MOST POPULARHow to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies
Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSNatural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden
Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPING4 Good Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitos in Your Yard
Stay safe from West Nile virus and put an end to irksome itches with these tools and methods for a porch, patio or yard
Full StoryDECLUTTERINGDownsizing Help: How to Get Rid of Your Extra Stuff
Sell, consign, donate? We walk you through the options so you can sail through scaling down
Full StoryLIFE10 Best Ways to Get Organized for a Big Move
Make your next move smooth, short and sweet with these tips for preparing, organizing and packing
Full StoryORGANIZINGHouzz Call: Show Us How You're Getting Organized
If you’ve found successful ways to declutter and create order at home, we want to hear about it. Share your ideas and photos!
Full StoryORGANIZINGGet the Organizing Help You Need (Finally!)
Imagine having your closet whipped into shape by someone else. That’s the power of working with a pro
Full StoryORGANIZINGGet Organized: Are You a Piler or a Filer?
Tote out the bins and baskets and learn how to be an organized piler if file cabinets leave you cringing
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPING7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Living Room
A task a day sends messes away. Take a week to get your living room in shape
Full StoryLIFE3 Ways to Get Unstuck — About Organizing, Decorating, Whatever
Break out of the do-nothing rut to accomplish your goals, whether at home or in other parts of your life
Full Story
tcstoehr