Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Some myths regarding gardens or Old Wives tales debunked. myth busters'R us
EXAMPLES OF GARDEN “MYTH”-INFORMATION
Myth #1 Companion planting improves plant growth. Originally based on folklore and tradition companion planting has lots of supporters. Some research done in the 1930’s used chromatography from plant mixtures and evaluated the color patterns they made to determine if they were a good match. (“grow roses with garlic, carrots love tomatoes”, etc.)This has nothing to do with how a plant actually grows or behaves in a garden. Science-based companion planting research has shown that a mixture of varieties of plants is better than mass planting of one type. It makes it hardier to pest attack, as many pests are plant-specific. Match plants with similar water and nutrient needs. Interplanting of tall and short crops so that sun-loving plants can shelter shade plants makes sense. Myth#2 Marigolds repel pests. Data from reputable research shows no such affect. However they do attract beneficial insects with may feed on pests. Myth #3 Ants on peonies are necessary to allow the buds to open. Nope, they are just feeding on the sticky sap produced by the buds. They do no harm to the flowers but they may attack natural enemies that come to feed on the nectar and pollen. Myth#4 Watering on a sunny day will burn plants. The premise here is that water droplets magnify the sun’s rays and burn the leaves. Hmmm, let’s see! Do plants burn when the sun comes out after rain? (There wouldn’t be much left in the tropics then…) Desert farmers routinely use overhead sprinklers to cool and protect young plants from drying out. This myth may have come from the observation of applications of water high in dissolved salts. As the water dries, the salts left behind can burn the leaves. Myth#5 Vitamin B1 reduces transplant shock. This was based on experiments in the 1930’s on detached roots that indicated a positive affect. Multiple experiments since then on a variety of plant species in the lab and field, all show no significant effect of B1 treatment. Researchers from UC Farm Advisory have shown that B1 supplements, which also containing fertilizer, are no better than similar fertilizer products, but cost about ten times as much! Myth#6 Gypsum will “loosen” clay soil, and raise pH. This is true only if you have soil where sodium, instead of calcium or magnesium, saturates the clay. In these “sodic” soils gypsum causes soil particles to gather together, improving structure and water infiltration. Our foothill clay is typically not “sodic”. Gypsum will not “loosen” our soil; organic material such as compost is your best bet. Gypsum’s makeup is calcium sulfate (CaSO4*H2O) and has no effect on pH, but is a good source of calcium or sulfur. Myth#7 Pruning seal helps wounds “heal”. This was based on the premise that a covering of pruning paint or tar protects the cut surface from decay. In reality: wood-rotting organisms may already be in the surface, so you are just trapping them in. The coating can crack leaving the wound even more susceptible to decay. This coating may also actually inhibit the callus formation on the wound, slowing the natural protective process. The bottom line - prune at the proper time for the type of plant, make appropriate pruning cuts, and let the tree protect itself. Myth #8 Buy the biggest plants you can afford to get a jump on growth. Research has shown that a #1 can oak tree will catch up to (and often surpass) a #5 can tree within 1 to 2 years. Ohio state research showed that tomato seedlings that are already fruiting when transplanted yield poorly, even if the fruits are removed. Myth #9 If a plant is pot bound, remedy it by cutting the root ball or teasing roots out and directing downward. New research from the Univ. of Minnesota shows no difference between these treatments and no treatment after 2 years. Here are some final considerations as you evaluate the vast resources of knowledge: * Consider the source. * Does other data support their conclusion? * If there are only testimonial and no data, or appears to be more hype than hypothesis, buyer beware! * And lastly, make sure the data is relevant to your climate, soil, and ecological conditions. Someone in Connecticut may be able to get by without watering all summer by using thick mulch, but here in California, with our dry Mediterranean summers, that probably won’t apply! Andrew wrote: On Dec 6, 11:32 am, "Blackadder" wrote: Do you use the spray during the day? I used a similar spray and it ended up burning my roses - but it was on account of the sun's heat. If I had done it in the evening or very early morning it doesn't happen. BD Pyrethrins are also quite oily which probably intensifies the problem of spraying in hot weather. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Bronze Oroage bug; sprays? | Australia | |||
Bronze Oroage bug; sprays? | Australia | |||
Misty foggy sprinkler sprays | Lawns | |||
Safe Sprays for Fruit Trees | United Kingdom | |||
Apple Tree Sprays? | Orchids |