"McGerm" wrote in message
...
I have been catching up on my garden reading here in Zone 6. One of
the things I picked up at the library was a DVD on tree and shrub
care. Among the things it said to do was to use a 'clean-up tonic'
once every two weeks to discourage insects and diseases. The DVD made
it sound like a very good thing to do.

Clean-Up Tonic
1 Cup lemon-scented liquid dish soap
1 Cup of antiseptic mouthwash
1 Cup of chewing tobacco tea

The tobacco concerns me, specifically tobacco mosaic virus. Will this
treatment spread the virus? According to sources online TMV infects
and kills tomatoes/peppers/eggplant/ cubits, annual flowers, orchids,
and hundreds of other ornamentals.

Jim


Question: What bug problems are you trying to deal with? In other words, I
assume you have sat in the garden with bug identification books, and
specifically identified all the different bugs you see. Please tell me which
"bad" bugs you're trying to get rid of.

I'm asking because it never makes sense to create extra work for yourself if
there's no reason to do so. And, the tea you're thinking of making could
also kill beneficial insects.

I will eagerly await your complete list of bugs you've identified.