Organic roses in South Africa and thoughts about life and health
jessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
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jessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRelated Discussions
Building a medium sized flow-through system in South Africa
Comments (29)Another update. Just to clarify: I do not surface-feed; I bury the food at 2 litre (+-2 quarts) ice-cream container sized locations. As mentioned earlier, I worked out that I needed to feed 42 (6x7) times before I got around to the first location again. It turns out that I sometimes have more food than 2 quarts, in which case I feed two (or even 3) locations at the same time. So last week the feeding "wrapped around". The food in spot 1,1 is completely gone except for the corn cobs. There are lots of cocoons, some (about 20) of which I moved to the side to see how they mature. I really would like to see and hopefully photograph a "birth". I also can't wait until all the cocoons have hatched so I can start processing my crass clippings. Some other critters that have taken up residence: 1) mites - are still around but not in huge numbers 2) spiders 3) a small caterpillar 4) a single ant The rat is definitely history. I left the bin open to dry it out a little and the next morning the newspaper on top was completely undisturbed. That's it for now. Alex...See MoreSummer roses in South Africa
Comments (25)Liezelgil – I know what you mean about Ludwigs – my husband doesn’t have the patience:) so I always go with my mom. The occasional snowstorm is ok I guess but I would swap with your weather any day. Winters here can be really trying – this is my 17th away from SA – we haven’t seen the sun in over a week! Not too worry, it will be over soon and anyway my rose seeds are starting to sprout. Three germinated yesterday so in a week or two I’ll start transplanting them. That will keep my busy until spring starts good and proper....See More11/20/15: daily journal toward health & organic ways & weight loss
Comments (64)Msgirl: mineral oil is effective in controlling rose-scale pest. Khalid asked excellent questions in his thread "organic treatment ...", so I re-post some info. here. Johnson Baby oil is the same as mineral oil, except it reeks of perfume. Very effective against thrips and scale according to the New Zealand research (see Khalid's thread). http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3453227/organic-treatment-against-pests-and-fungus-in-zone-9a?n=40 "Mineral oils sprayed onto citrus trees can control a wide range of pests, including mites, aphids, psyllids, leafminers and scale. The control effect of the oil is mainly by suffocation, when the oil moves into the spiracles (breathing holes) of the insects. Recently, it has been shown that the oil also controls insects by modifying their behavior. For example, female leafminers do not lay eggs on leaves where there are oil deposits. Mineral oil may also reduce the level of transmission of virus diseases by aphids Advantages of Oil Spray Oils have several advantages compared to chemical insecticides. Their main benefit is that they are broad-spectrum. They control a wide range of pests, as well as fungus diseases such as black spot and greasy spot. They are even effective against the eggs of aphids, mites and some moths. Furthermore, they are easy to handle and relatively safe to the grower applying them. They dissipate quickly after spraying. Mineral oils also kill any algae growing on the trees and fruit, leaving them clean." http://www.agnet.org/library.php?func=view&id=20110711110304...See More12/15/15: Wise quotes, roses or what gave you health & happiness?
Comments (49)Sam: Agree with you that biochar is low-level oxygen and slow-burning. Here's an excerpt from below link: "Without sophisticated kilns and ovens to produce modern biochar, this ancient material was likely made by setting alight a pile of organic material before covering it with dirt to eliminate oxygen but hold in the heat from the fire which, in turn, baked the organic matter. http://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleId=183 The above link is worth clicking, it shows vigorous plants grown with biochar, versus without. The reason why biochar is better than wood-ash? It's like cooking food with a slow-cooker (crock-pot), versus burning food on a hot fire. Slow-cooking retains more nutrients, versus LESS nutrients with fast burning & lots of oxygen. When my neighbor burned wood in a open-fire-pit, the heat was so intense that it converted our heavy-black-clay into reddish clay. Nutrients in foods are destroyed at high temp, same with wood-ash: less nutrients than biochar....See Morejessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agoKhalid Waleed (zone 9b Isb)
8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agojessjennings0 zone 10b
8 years agoLee Hansen
7 years agostrawchicago z5
7 years ago
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Khalid Waleed (zone 9b Isb)