How to control the pickle worm in warm climates

Pickle Worm Control - "Bill covers all the possible means of control this terrible pest. All means are organic, some are no spray techniques."



Bill mentions a 3/4 inch net as suggested by University of Hawaii.

How to Recognize and Treat Tomato Blights

Here are some excellent resources:

Recognizing Tomato Blights | UMass Amherst Vegetable Program http://bit.ly/1wFZJDV

Recognizing tomato blights - pdf http://bit.ly/1wFZNU5

Homemade Natural Remedies for the Vegetable Garden | Veggie Gardener http://bit.ly/1wFZZD1

I tried the baking soda spray: 1 TSP per 1 gallon of water.

Here is a modified recipe for Baking Soda Spray

Treats powdery mildew and other fungus

1 gallon of water
3 tablespoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid

Mix all the ingredients in a sprayer and apply to leaves of affected. It is best to remove leaves that are seriously infested if possible. Treat every one or two weeks.



From Rusted Garden: "Tomatoes get diseases like leaf spot and blights. Baking soda changes the Ph level on tomato leaves and can help prevent these diseases from establishing on your plants. The video will show you how to make the baking soda spray, how to apply the spray and it will go over some basic guidelines for use. Use it before the diseases appear... And always test spray first!" Related: How to Treat Tomato Leaf Diseases: Pick and Spray - YouTube http://bit.ly/1wG5ams

Another essential is Soap Spray Insecticide

1 tablespoon of liquid soap
1 gallon of water

Neem Oil - How to Make Garden Spray, What Does it Do?

Neem Oil can be used in the garden to fight chewing insects. You should purchase 100% cold pressed Neem Oil. This pure pressing has the Azadirachtin in it for insect control. Gary discusses the basic recipes to make quart and gallon sprays.

Easy Pest Control with natural methods: habitat for predators of pests, etc.

Crash Gardening with David Goodman, Episode 3: Easy Pest Control - YouTube http://buff.ly/1omaVPY -- Easy pest control via superior habitat. Knock back mosquitoes, kill stinkbugs, slaughter caterpillars... and all without lifting a finger. Learn to work with nature to control pests in this episode of Crash Gardening. Take a look at a simple mason bee/solitary wasp house. For more daily gardening advice, visit http://www.floridasurvivalgardening.com.

Caterpillar Killer Spray with BT (Bacillus Thuringiensis)

It is recommended that this product be applied late in the afternoon or on cloudy days since B.t. breaks down in the sunlight. Contains Dipel® (bacillus thuringiensis var Kurstaki -- 1.76%).



Bacillus thuringiensis (or Bt) is a Gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium, commonly used as a biological pesticide; alternatively, the Cry toxin may be extracted and used as a pesticide.

How to De-Fungi Pots and Plants: Bleach

How to sanitize pots/containers?

To disinfect pots, soak them in a solution containing one part household bleach to 9 parts water for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Mix 1 part bleach with 9 parts water. Immerse the pots in hydrogen peroxide (bleach) solution for 10 minutes. Soaking for 10 minutes should kill all bacteria and any fungal spores present on the pot. Then, rinse the containers. Chlorine is unstable and dissipates into the air quite readily

1-10 mnemonic:

1 part bleach, add 9 parts water for
10
10 minutes

How to De-Fungi Plant Potting Soil in a Potted Plant : Indoor Planting - YouTube http://bit.ly/16yTNyq



References:

Cleaning and Disinfecting Plant Containers | Horticulture and Home Pest News - Iowa State University http://buff.ly/1icDqxO

How Get Rid of Indoor Fungus Gnats (black flies)

The indoor black flies around your plants are called Fungus Gnats. They, themselves, are harmless to your plants but the they leave eggs underneath the soil and the larvae that hatch interfere with root development and can kill the plants. Do not ignore the fungus gnats, they are more than just annoyance.

There are many ways to kill the flies but this will not solve the problem. As long as you water the plants from the top and the surface of the soil is moist, the eggs will continue to hatch new larvae. You have to water the plants only from the bottom and keep the surface dry.

After a lot of reading on the topic, watching the videos below (and more), I have found that the simplest way to get rid of fungus gnats is a 2-step plan:

1. Eliminate the adult flies with a sticky tape/trap. The cheapest option is to buy a fly ribbon ($1 in many stores), cut it in 2-inch pieces and tape them on the rim of the pots (2-3 pieces per pot). PIC Fly Ribbon works really well and it is sticky on both sides (one side for the flies, the other side for the rim of the pot)/

2. Eliminate the eggs by keeping the surface of the soil dry. Never water from the top apart from the time of planting.

That is all, and it really works.



I have found that spraying with Neem oil is ineffective in controlling the fungus gnats. In fact, the moisture from the spray makes them multiple in 1-2 days.

The solution shown in the video below - applying Vaseline to sticky notes - also does not work. The Vaseline dries on the paper before it can trap any flies.



"World's Simplest & Cheapest Way to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats" - YouTube http://bit.ly/XeUghM - Editor's note: This method did not work for me at all. See the 2-step plan above.

Comment from Praxxus55712: "Good tips. I like the vaseline on the yellow paper. They can't resist bright yellow. The vaseline holds them perfectly. I noticed you included bottom watering. *high five*. Keep the soil surface dry.

A quick method to slow or stop them is to remove a layer of soil from the top of the soil of the pots. Toss this soil in a sealed bag and throw it in the outdoor trash. It must be tossed away because it is infected. Spread a layer of fine vermiculite or perlite or pure sand on the pot to form a solid barrier from edge to edge of the pot. A solid layer is needed. One bare spot will make this fail. Water from the underside drip tray instead of the top.

Pretty much any insect spray will kill gnats. If they're fungus gnats then you have a war on your hands because their children are deadly to your plants."

What is the giant green caterpillar on my tomato plant? Tomato hornworm

What is it?

Tomato hornworms, Manduca quinquemaculata, are very large caterpillars that have a "horn-like" tail that gives them their name. Large numbers of caterpillars can occur in home gardens and can quickly defoliate plants.

What plants are affected?

Tomato is a preferred host although they have also been found on potato, eggplant, and pepper.

How to prevent it?

Plants should be examined at least twice per week during the summer to check for tomato hornworms.

How to control it?

Handpick hornworms from infested plants (this is the most effective means of managing them). Tomato hornworms are fairly easy to find because of their large size.

References:

Tomato Hornworms in Home Gardens - http://goo.gl/rVu8J
Tomato Hornworms - Identifying and Controlling Tomato Hornworm - http://goo.gl/0ijzP
Manduca quinquemaculata - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - http://goo.gl/jD5Dc
Caterpillars on Tomatoes? Here's Some Help! - http://goo.gl/dGukK

Why do cucumber vines suddenly wilt and die? Bacterial wilt transmitted by cucumber beetle

Healthy cucumbers after 6 weeks in SIP. Note the tepee (left) and another type of bamboo stick support with trellis (right).



Healthily cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and Swiss chard in SIP.

What is bacterial wilt?

Cucumbers are susceptible to bacterial wilt that is transmitted by striped and spotted cucumber beetles. Plants are infected with the bacterial wilt disease by the attack of cucumber beetles. The disease organism overwinters inside the beetles' bodies.







Eggs of cucumber beetle

How to recognize bacterial wilt?

The most obvious symptom of cucumber wilt is vines that have been well watered suddenly wilting. Before this happens though the leaves of your vines will exhibit dull green patches. However, the onset of the disease is so fast that you may never notice this dullness.

Plants usually are infected with the disease-causing bacteria long before they show any symptoms. When the vines wilt and collapse (usually about the same time that the first cucumbers are half grown), it is too late to prevent the disease.



Bacterial wilt in a cucumber plant previously infested with cucumber beetle

How to control bacterial wilt?

The best method for control of this disease is to control the cucumber beetles.

Any resistant varieties?

The slicing cucumber cultivar 'County Fair' has some tolerance to bacterial wilt.





Eureka cucumber is not just tolerant but resistant to multiple diseases typically affecting cucumbers in the tropics.



References:

Container Gardening in Puerto Rico: Disease:Cucumber Wilt - http://goo.gl/cl7EX
Cucumber - Vegetable Directory - Watch Your Garden Grow - University of Illinois Extension - http://goo.gl/KDVUw
Cucumber Problems - What Causes My Cucumber Vines to Die Off? Bacterial Wilt. - http://goo.gl/yJByK
Bacterial Wilt of Cucurbits - http://goo.gl/bxOpQ
Wilting Cucumber Leaves - Vegetable Gardening Forum - GardenWeb - http://goo.gl/n38Hj
GARDEN Cucumber - DISEASES, PESTS AND PROBLEMS - http://goo.gl/gBNHP
G6400 Frequently Asked Vegetable Questions | University of Missouri Extension - http://goo.gl/1xvV5

Slugs in the Garden

Slug is a common name for any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, that has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell. This is in contrast to the common name snail, applied to gastropods that have a coiled shell large enough that the soft parts of the animal can retract fully into it.



Damage on radish leaves by slugs

Slugs are a formidable foe in the garden.

How to Get Rid of Garden Slugs:

- Put 2 tablespoons of cornmeal in a jar and lay it on its side wherever there is slug activity.

- Fill a cup 80% full of beer at ground level.

- Spread salt on the surface where the slugs crawl around and they will dry up. Do not put salt in the soil because it will ruin the soil for plants.

- use sand around the plants

References:

5 Ways to Get Rid of Garden Slugs - wikiHow http://bit.ly/PeqrJF
Hands On Gardening - Slugs and Ground Snails - YouTube http://bit.ly/PeqzJo
Slug - Wikipedia http://bit.ly/PeqDJ6
Slugs as Garden Pests - How to Get Rid of Garden Slugs - About.com http://bit.ly/PeqENb

Flea beetle

Flea beetles is a general name applied to the small, jumping beetles of the leaf beetle family (Chrysomelidae).

The adults are very small to moderately sized Chrysomelidae (i.e. among beetles in general they are on the smallish side). They are similar to other leaf beetles, but characteristically have the hindleg femora greatly enlarged. These enlarged femora allow for the springing action of these insects when disturbed. Flea beetles can also walk normally and fly. Many flea beetles are attractively coloured; dark, shiny and often metallic colors predominate.

Adult flea beetles feed externally on plants, eating the surface of the leaves, stems and petals. Under heavy feeding the small round holes caused by an individual flea beetle's feeding may coalesce into larger areas of damage. Some flea beetle larvae (e.g. of Phyllotreta species) are root feeders.

The German name Erdflöhe (literally "earth fleas") refers to their jumping ability and this behavior of hiding in the soil.

Many agricultural crops are attacked by flea beetles, including various cruciferous plants such as mustard and rapeseed (particularly canola in North America). Numerous flower plants are also subject to flea beetle feeding.

Control

There are many insecticides labeled for treating flea beetles. Most flea beetle treatments are applied as foliar sprays to protect the foliage against the feeding of the adult beetle.

Pyrethrins/pyrethrum sprays have a short residual that persists less than one day. Medium residual can persist as long as 10–14 days. Long residual can persist as long as four weeks.





Here is one option:



References:

Flea beetle - Wikipedia http://bit.ly/PemK70
Flea Beetles in Home Gardens - University of Minnesota http://bit.ly/PenHvP
How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles (Black Bugs) on Eggplants - YouTube

Cucumber beetle

Healthy cucumbers after 6 weeks in SIP. Note the tepee (left) and another type of bamboo stick support with trellis (right).



Healthy cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and Swiss chard in SIP.

Cucumber beetle is a common name given to members of two genera of beetles. The adult beetles are found on the leaves and flowers of cucurbits; which are plant species of the melon, cucumber and squash varieties.

Plants Attacked: Cucumber, cantaloupe, winter squash, pumpkin, gourd, summer squash, and watermelon, as well as many other species of cucurbits. Cucumber beetles may also feed on beans, corn, peanuts, potatoes, and other crops.

The two most common pests in this family are the striped cucumber beetle and spotted cucumber beetle, which looks very much like a green ladybug. However, unlike the ladybug, cucumber beetles are considered harmful insects. They are sucking invaders which harm crops and ornamental plants.





Adult beetles attack the tender young growth of stems and leaves, and the buds and petals on mature specimens. They also carry and spread the bacterial wilt organism, Erwinia tracheiphila and the cucumber mosaic virus.

Eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves, and hatch into yellowish larvae 1⁄2 inches (13 mm) long. The larvae then commence to feed on plant roots by tunneling into the ground. In some areas, the larvae is called the "corn rootworm".



Eggs of cucumber beetle

Cucumber beetles can attack and overwinter in corn and bean fields; in some areas they may hide out in compost or trash piles.



Bacterial wilt in a cucumber plant previously infested with cucumber beetle

Eradication consists of:

- manual removal - regularly inspect your plant leaves (especially underneath) for the cucumber beetle eggs. They are small, round, and orange to reddish. Removing the eggs will help control the beetle population.

- keeping cultivated areas free of litter and debris from infested plants

- application of pyrethrin-containing insecticides applied directly to host plants, such as Cyfluthrin or a non-systemic organphosphate insectside like malathion





Garden Safe Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer contains the same volume as Natria (24-ounces) but has double the concentration of pyrethrins (0.02%):



References:

Cucumber beetle - Wikipedia http://bit.ly/Pei2pG
Cucumber Beetle Control - YouTube http://bit.ly/PeljW3
How To Spot Cucumber Beetles And Bacterial Wilt - YouTube http://bit.ly/Pelsc7

Pepper leaves are pale, curled up and have dark spots. Infested with aphids. What to do?

I bought this pyrethroid-based spray from Home Depot: Bayer Advanced 706120A NATRIA Insect, Disease and Mite Control Ready-to-Use, 24-Ounces for $6 ($11 at Amazon).



The product is a contact killer for both insect and mite pests. It also supposedly controls a wide range of fungal diseases and pests. For use on Roses, Flowers, Houseplants, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables.

It kills: Aphids, Mites, Spider Mites, Leafhoppers, Caterpillars, Rose Slugs, Whiteflies, Spittlebugs, Mealybugs, Scale, Thrips, Psyllids, Plant Bugs, Lace Bugs, Fruit Flies, Chiggers and Earwigs.

It controls: Black Spot, Powdery Mildew, Rust, Scab, Blight, Brown Rot and Leaf Spot.

It can be used up to the day before harvest.

Garden Safe Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer contains the same volume as Natria (24-ounces) but has double the concentration of pyrethrins (0.02%):



Pyrethroid

Pyrethroid is an organic compound similar to the natural pyrethrins produced by the flowers of pyrethrums (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and C. coccineum). Pyrethroids now constitute the majority of commercial household insecticides. They are generally harmless to humans. They are usually broken apart by sunlight and the atmosphere in one or two days, and do not significantly affect groundwater quality.

Mechanism of action

Pyrethroids are very popular insecticides because exoskeletons of insects are sufficiently porous to pyrethroids. They are axonic poisons and cause paralysis of an organism. The chemical causes paralysis by keeping the sodium channels open in the neuronal membranes of an organism. When the toxin keeps the channels in their open state, the nerves cannot de-excite, so the organism is paralyzed.

Pyrethroids are usually combined with piperonyl butoxide, a known inhibitor of key microsomal oxidase enzymes. Piperonyl butoxide prevents the insect's enzymes from clearing the pyrethroid from its body, maximizing the lethality of the pyrethroid.





Here are some pesticide options:

Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap Insect Killer 24-Ounce Ready To Use Spray 10424X http://amzn.to/Mz094m

Bayer Advanced Fruit Citrus Vegetable Insecticide http://amzn.to/Mz0iEJ

Green Light Organic Neem Concentrate - Pint 17016 http://amzn.to/Mz0l3x

Monterey LG6135 Garden Insect Spray Contains Spinosad, 32-Ounce http://amzn.to/Mz0eVr

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethroid