Cheap substitute for Surround?

12 years ago

I just realized that the poultice I use on my horses, called Ice Tite, has only two ingredients. Kaolin clay and peppermint. I think it may be a great substitute for the insecticide Surround. You can get it at most Tack stores. I know Desert Saddlery in Gilbert carries it. I need to figure out how much to mix with water. I'm assuming it would be good to strain before putting in the sprayer.

Who knows, the peppermint might make it work better? Thinking I'll try it on a single squash as a test if I get squash bugs again.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

thisisme
12 years ago
tracydr let me know how this works for you. I asked a similar question in the Fruit & Orchard Forum a few months back. I asked if I could use Food Grade or Cosmetic Grade Kaolin clay as a substitute since no one sells Surround in Arizona and shipping costs a mint. The answer from harvestman and others who's opinion I respect was a resounding "No". They said the particle size of the Kaolin clay in Surround has been made smaller than Kaolin clay in other forms. That the smaller particle size allows plants to easily breath through it. Of course no one had ever used any other form of Kaolin clay to check it out but thats what the manufacturer claims. I certainly think its worth a try. If it works please share your results here as it could save others a bit of cash.
tracydr
Original Author
12 years ago
I will. I havent tried it since I dont have any bug problem right now. It's supposed to help with sun scalding too, though? If that's the case, I might try it on a tomato plant that has a lovely one pounder starting to get burned. Maybe I could just spray that tomato to help protect it?
Related Discussions
Modifying Raybo's 3-2-1 SWC Mix, substitute for Pine Fines
Q
Comments (2)
ruet, The Bark Fines actually absorb moisture, where the LECA may not. Thinking this through, I would do a "safe" start using a 3:1:1 ratio this Season, then if that works and gives you adequate moisture wicking in your SWC and healthy plant growth, next year go to a full 3:2:1 combo mix. The goal is to give the plant just enough moisture to produce tasty vegetables, but not too much such that the flavor is bland due to too much water intake. Also, be sure your Peat will absorb water on its own, or you may need to add a Wetting Agent. Raybo
...See More
Small quantity substitute for turface?
Q
Comments (21)
When you HAVE to dig up your septic system for any reason, your priorities change! I'm way too familiar with septic systems, having gone through quite a bit with the two separate ones here... one for the house, and one for the kennel! (Hint: they should both be constructed the same, as they both serve the same purpose!) Kennel septic, no peacock used in outgoing piping... use your imagination! Anyway... I'm surprised at the amount of moisture retained without the use of turface in my mix. The top couple of inches can be fairly dry, but the area around the roots will still be quite damp. While I do have to water more often than if I were to use a more moisture retentive, organic medium, it's not nearly as often as I originally thought it would be. I'm quite happy with the results so far... the real test will be what the roots look like at re-potting time. And... so far, so good on that issue... I recently re-potted a couple of small bulbs in 4" pots... they were planted in a pre-mixed bonsai medium, which was quite gritty, but with smaller particles than Al's Mix. The roots looked healthy and numerous, and the used medium fell away with very little effort, making re-potting much easier.
...See More
Need cheap solutions - 100' of flower beds in weeds
Q
Comments (8)
Why level the lawn if your going to build raised beds? Just rototill where you want the garden to be and use 2x4's or whatever to mark off the area. -lumber: 2x8s or 12's can be cheap if you go to home depo or whatever and ask where their scrap lumber is. It will take years for them to rot enough whered you'll notice. You can also get old wood pallets and tear them apart for the individual pieces. Left over bricks work to. - weed smothering material: one word-Preen. Unless you need to go 100% organic, this stuff will save your life. the small container is fine. Apply in the spring. I havent had to weed barely at all this year. As for now? I'd agree with Gumby_ct: avoid landscape fabric. Its expensive and not worth it. I'd just use black garbage bags, cut the seams, and put that over the whole site. you can cut holes for where you need plants to poke through. If you dont wanna plant anything this year, and just prepare for next, you could solorize the soil. Its harsh, but it will kill all weeds & their seeds (and worms, good bugs, beneficial bacteria etc). all you need is a clear plastic drop cloth, put it over the area you want to plant in, weigh the edges down with bricks, and walk away. Its worth a google search. - compost: This fall, use your lawnmower to pick up the leaves, then dump them on your garden site. They decompose faster when shredded. Do it all season. By the spring, it should have decomposed enough to till into the soil. Leaf mold is the poor mans compost.It can be a good substitution for peat moss as well, since its purpose is to help hold moisture and clay soils. -vermiculite: I used sand instead on vermiculite/pearlite. We had bags of left over from when we used them for winter traction in an old car. the best drainage is from sand anyway. sand + compost/leaf mold = plant nirvana. Hope that is helpful! -Ali
...See More
Cabinets. Today. Butcherblock Ordered (Good Ikea substitut found)
Q
Comments (38)
Hi brickton - your kitchen is gorgeous! I just ordered maple butcher block from Perfect Plank and I was wondering if you have any close-up or overhead pics of your butcher block countertops to share? I am obsessing (slightly ;) ) over whether I will like/dislike the surface finger jointing, and was wondering how obvious it is or whether it bothers you? I noticed a picture of the sample Mirvana from your earlier post, and it had the surface finger jointing, hence my inquiry. I can't tell from these pics whether your installed butcher block actually has the surface finger-jointing. In any event, any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :)
...See More
tracydr
Original Author
12 years ago
I will certainly test it on a disposable plant before using it on a favorite, first. Last year, towards the middle of July, the squash bugs hit me hard. I have a lot more cucurbits this year and I'd hate to have to buy 50 lbs of Surround if this could work.
Seriously, how much could they really change the size of a clay particle? Sounds more like a sales pitch to me. I say we do some careful experiments on plants we don't love too much.
thisisme
12 years ago
I think it may just be slick marketing to. However there are ways to reduce particle size. I'm just not so sure that Kaolin clay needs it. If you have ever worked with the stuff and you have then you know it suspends in water fairly easily.
chigardenlady
8 years ago
So did anyone try this yet? Surround is too expensive but plus 20.00 for shipping too!
chigardenlady
8 years ago
Ingredients

Kaolin, Water, Bentonite, Glycerine, Boric Acid, Ferrous Sulfate, and Aloe Vera with artificial peppermint fragrance added. Except there are more then those just two ingredients. Probably not good for use on plants.
Jon Oren
last year
Surround MP is a highly-refined kaolin down to 1.4 micron. This particulate size is the key to its effectiveness and unlikely to replicate without certain equipment unfortunately.
SamuellaZ6a
10 months ago
I'm having trouble getting the clay to stick to newer growth on roses. Would anyone have suggestions on how to make the clay stick better to new growth? Right now it just beads off. Thank you in advance for your insight!

Cheap substitute for Surround?

Comments (8)

thisisme

tracydr
Original Author

Related Discussions

tracydr
Original Author

thisisme

chigardenlady

chigardenlady

Jon Oren

SamuellaZ6a

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Cheap substitute for Surround?

Comments (8)

thisisme

tracydrOriginal Author

Related Discussions

tracydrOriginal Author

thisisme

chigardenlady

chigardenlady

Jon Oren

SamuellaZ6a

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

tracydr
Original Author

tracydr
Original Author