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Dec 10, 2011 7:13 PM CST
Name: 'CareBear'

Amaryllis Cactus and Succulents Dog Lover Hostas Irises Region: Pennsylvania
Sempervivums
Well, chlorine is in our water and ammonia is a by-product of animal waist. But it will be so small at this level. But I didn't known what effects vinegar has on releasing chlorine gas?? I know diluted bleach is used to kill root rot in iris. Just wanted to give a toot.
Stush
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Dec 10, 2011 7:21 PM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
Yup, 10% chlorine and water will kill a *lot* of stuff.... including my sense of smell, grrrr...
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


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Dec 10, 2011 7:30 PM CST
Name: 'CareBear'

Amaryllis Cactus and Succulents Dog Lover Hostas Irises Region: Pennsylvania
Sempervivums
Sheryl,
Sense of smell might be helpful while in the barn. But hay, do you know anything about egg shells for use in potting soil mix? Is it lime base? Calcium? I heard a very long time ago it was good to use for house plants. I wonder if I am throwing away a good thing? Any thoughts?
Stush
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Dec 10, 2011 7:41 PM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
Welllllll..... I know that eggshells are made up primarily of calcium carbonate. But as far as getting it released into soil or how it's used as an additive ... that, I don't know.

You'll want to be careful with that, I'm thinking. After gardening for years in the Arizona desert, I can tell you that a lot of plants don't care for the lack of acidity a heavy mix of calcium carbonate brings.

Me, I compost them.
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


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Dec 10, 2011 7:46 PM CST
Name: 'CareBear'

Amaryllis Cactus and Succulents Dog Lover Hostas Irises Region: Pennsylvania
Sempervivums
Thanks, I knew of a farmer who crushed them and fed them back to his chickens. Big mistake, they started to eat there own eggs. Guess which ones went to the frying pan?
Stush
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Dec 10, 2011 8:16 PM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
Yikes - sounds like something out of B horror movie.
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


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Dec 11, 2011 10:03 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Jenn Capestany
Trenton, TX (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas
Stush, on the eggshells in the houseplants: My mother in law soaks them in water, and then uses that water on her houseplants. The eggshells would then get composted. She has gorgeous houseplants that have lasted for years.
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Dec 11, 2011 10:05 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Jenn Capestany
Trenton, TX (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas
She also waters her outside plants with "eggshell water." Can't hurt.
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Jan 12, 2012 5:48 AM CST
Name: Jo Ann Gentle
Pittsford NY (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cat Lover Heucheras Hellebores Container Gardener
Birds Region: New York Avid Green Pages Reviewer Irises Garden Ideas: Master Level Lilies
I came here to find out about knats
I have battled those black knats for months.
Why do they head for my nose when I am at the computer?
I have the vinegar bowles and they are not working well enough. Didtilled viegar is apple cider vinegar but "distilled" to answer that issue.

After reading thru this trhread I believe my knats are from miracle Gro moisture controle potting mix. I do let it stay on the dry side. I have pots of amarillis and coleus cuttings in the house so those black devils are comming fom them.
I bought a bug spray to eleminate them as they show up in front of the TV.
I was so desperate at one time I put on bug repellant so I could be comfortable while going thru the threds on the garden sites I visit.

They evade swatting and clapping between my hands.
Just awful. They dont swarm but 1 in action is enough to drive anyone nuts.
Thanks for all the tips. I will try the peroxide.
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Jan 12, 2012 6:39 AM CST
Name: Allison
NJ (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Dog Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Region: New Jersey Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
sticky paper near the seedlings will help as well.. they get stuck and that's that.. I try to find yellow ones

https://www.google.com/search?...
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Jan 12, 2012 7:40 AM CST
Name: Alan
Chandler, AZ; 85225 (Zone 9b)
Sunset Zone 13
Birds Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Southwest Gardening Plumerias Organic Gardener
Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Butterflies Bulbs Charter ATP Member Container Gardener
Also a small bowl of apple cider vinegar near the plants will attract them, they will land in it and drown.
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Jan 12, 2012 9:52 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
I have been using apple cider vinegar with a little dish soap to attract the gnats. It does work, just takes awhile for this flying irksomes to get to it. I also use hydrogen peroxide to water the plants.

I have not used the eggshell suggestion for purposes of watering. I keep the crushed eggshells for my outdoor plants especially the hostas, to fight the slugs.

Yet to try using the mosquito dunks, that will be my last option to further the fight against the gnats.
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Sep 25, 2016 10:27 PM CST
Name: Laurie b
Western Washington (Zone 7b)
Houseplants Orchids Region: Pacific Northwest Region: Mexico Sedums Tropicals
This is a remedy from long ago.
@gel836 Years ago, the remedy I resorted to was a layer of fine sand with glass or silica, for sand blasting. The sand was laid on top of the soil. When the eggs in the soil hatched, the glass would cut them up as they attempted to fly out. I liked it because I did not have to wait for the pots to dry out to treat. Just protect furniture, this stuff scratches glass table tops and wood. It was easy to remove when the lil buggers are all gone.
Last edited by lauriebasler Sep 25, 2016 10:28 PM Icon for preview
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Sep 26, 2016 8:57 AM CST
Name: Gene Staver
Portage WI 53901 (Zone 5a)
Annuals Houseplants Herbs Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents
Butterflies Birds Hummingbirder Garden Sages
I have tried almost everything over the years. I winter about 1600 plants inside. Means they are close together. Means pests are my #1 problem. Not anymore. I found Azamax. Now, I could not live without it. In a way a concentrated Neem Oil spray. Not too expensive. Can be sprayed on almost everything. Safe to use around children, pets, fish. Every other pesticide I have seen says do not use around fish. Does not smell up the house. Can be used indoors or out. Safe for honey bees. Kills Fungus Gnats, whitefly, mealy bugs, scale, spider mites, cabbage worms, Japanese beetles, etc. etc. Does not kill on contact. Works a different way. Think of it as birth control for bugs. Makes the plant taste bad, stops bugs from growing, kills eggs. It works! That's the main thing. Ask me for more details if you like. Gene
Last edited by gasrocks Sep 26, 2016 8:58 AM Icon for preview
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Sep 26, 2016 1:41 PM CST
Name: Laurie b
Western Washington (Zone 7b)
Houseplants Orchids Region: Pacific Northwest Region: Mexico Sedums Tropicals
Does spraying Azamax kill the eggs in the soil also? I would so prefer this to soaking soil, I would certainly chose this solution over silicon sand.
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Sep 26, 2016 4:08 PM CST
Name: Gene Staver
Portage WI 53901 (Zone 5a)
Annuals Houseplants Herbs Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents
Butterflies Birds Hummingbirder Garden Sages
Yes. I talked to one of their techs in my quest for more knowledge. He said one of the real powers comes from using it as a soil drench. Many things are hiding in the soil sometimes: eggs, fungus gnats, mealy bugs. If you have mealy bugs, most are in the soil. If you see fungus gnats the ones doing the damage are in the soil snaking on roots. IMO, it does not have to be sprayed that often. They recommend for a severe infestation - once every 3-5 days. For regular pest issues - once every 5-7 days. as a preventative - once every 3 weeks. Gene
Last edited by gasrocks Sep 26, 2016 4:11 PM Icon for preview
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Sep 26, 2016 6:35 PM CST
Name: Laurie b
Western Washington (Zone 7b)
Houseplants Orchids Region: Pacific Northwest Region: Mexico Sedums Tropicals
I have not had a bug in years, but this is great to know about. I sort of lose my mind when it comes to plant bugs. I don't quite have 1,600 plants, so I am looking around to find a smaller size.
Last edited by lauriebasler Sep 30, 2016 10:21 PM Icon for preview
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Sep 27, 2016 9:21 AM CST
Name: 'CareBear'

Amaryllis Cactus and Succulents Dog Lover Hostas Irises Region: Pennsylvania
Sempervivums
Gene, Thanks for the advise on Azamax. I haven't used it but may purchase some now. I use Bayer 3 in 1 which is toxic to bees and may have some effect on animals chewing on the plant leaves like cats like to do. Since using the Bayer, I never had a problem with bugs.
Stush
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Sep 27, 2016 10:03 AM CST
Name: Gene Staver
Portage WI 53901 (Zone 5a)
Annuals Houseplants Herbs Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents
Butterflies Birds Hummingbirder Garden Sages
Because Azamax is refined down for greater bug killing ability, it has lost Neem Oils fungicide use. I only use 2 sprays, both based on Neem Oil: Azamax and Garden Safe Fungicide 3 which is a Fungicide, Insecticide and Miticide. Mainly I use it outdoors. I have a Tri-Color E. Beech that gets powdery mildew. Gene
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Sep 27, 2016 10:34 AM CST
Name: 'CareBear'

Amaryllis Cactus and Succulents Dog Lover Hostas Irises Region: Pennsylvania
Sempervivums
Gene, I also have some Tri-Color E. Beech. I keep them trimmed to about 10 ft. and that's a job in itself. One has produced beechnuts for the first time. I have never seen nuts on these trees before. I have seen some 60 ft. tall ones and never saw nuts on them. The purple leaved ones do and regular trees do but never saw on Tri-Color.

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