Gardening On The Islands

samuijimmy · March 20, 2012

hey Jimmy, neem is a fungicide as well but like anything else it can only prevent from the start or stop something in its tracks. if your plant or tree is already damaged, nothing is going to reverse it. better to get the neem/vinegar on the plant first and then prune it to be sure.

apple cider vinegar which i mentioned above is also a fungicide. not more than 1 or at most 2 tbsp per gallon of water though or else you end up with an herbicide.

i remember more than a year or so ago asking around in here for neem oil and it was astonishingly difficult to find for something that turned out to be so readily available. have a large tree near my house. i don't buy neem at any nurseries any more because they tend to mix it with growth hormone in one case or other insecticides in others. i just want neem (sadao) and i'll address the other issues when and if they present themselves.

if you can get the fruit, that's perhaps the best and strongest to use but the leaves in my experience work very well too. in fact the next time i start a garden project here the mulch will be primarily neem leaves.

keeping your soil healthy and alive is the best cure for any disease.

Some good points there again Joe, and just to mention your point yesterday about watering plants in the morning is certainly a good thing... or if plants a desperate for water later in the day, avoid wetting the foliage... especially on plants like: Canna Lilies, Roses. Coleus, Fragipanii etc... (plants more prone to fungal attacks) ... a good soak at the base of plants is always better than a quick sprinkle.....

For general information : Newly planted plants require much more watering than established ones... pot grown plants dry out much more quickly because of the medium used, for potting media, which is usually coconut fibre based or rice husks. (depending where plants come from and locally available medium).

I asked a Thai gardener today about Sadoa, we were actually standing under a huge Sadoa tree...

He said to boil leaves and or fruit in large pot and leave for 24 hours, then use a larger container (garbage can, "Dust bin" to the Brits!!! ) and fill with water and pour in the boiled mixture... straining off .... then let sit for a week... as you say, the fruit would probable produce a stronger mix ...

I asked about using as a fungicide but did not get a clear answer.... Everything was referred to as "Bacteria".... obviously a word he'd learned to cover all basis of deceases what ever they be or insect attacks ....

But your point on Apple cider vinegar is worth a try..... not come across that before as a fungicide... I certainly agree prevention is better and easier than trying to cure... Cleaning pruning tools with bleach is a good idea after working of deceased plants... and moving on to different plants. Sounds like vinegar may do the same thing...???

A number years ago, there was a "push" on using Vinegar with some salt and dish soap, to kill weeds... of course table salt will kill just about any plant .... I guess I never made the correct formulation, cos it never worked!

Healthy soil is the cornerstone of healthy plants.... so many people tend to skip the step of soil improvement and preparation. Types of plants to suit the situation and general maintenance... weeding etc!

Of course preventing weeds going to seed helps prevent their spread... and making gardening a core! or a "flustercluck" of weeds

samuijimmy · March 20, 2012