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Post by binnylou on Jul 28, 2018 11:15:46 GMT -5
So...I purchased some DE and it's been patiently waiting to do its thing. I dusted the eggplant and the broccoli. The inevitable happened...it rained. My question is, when it gets flushed off the plants by rain, does it continue to offer insect protection when it becomes part of the soil? And, with continued use, does it build up in the soil and help protect from insects in the soil?
Education please...and thank you.
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Post by reuben on Jul 28, 2018 11:17:59 GMT -5
I *think* it needs to be on the surface. Ants and other bugs don't like walking on the sharp particles. If it's washed off, I doubt that it will do much good. It's also a dessicant, so if it gets on the bugs as you apply it, they'll dry out and die.
I *think* - I'm not a DE expert.
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Post by James on Aug 7, 2018 18:24:35 GMT -5
Sprinkle the DE on the cabbage family plants. If it rains, it needs to be re-applied.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Aug 7, 2018 20:20:30 GMT -5
This is the reason why I switched to Surround from DE - it sticks to the plants better than DE. And also, it doesn't kill beneficial insects, though, as it doesn't kill any kinds - it's an insect deterrent.
I did add some to the soil mix in my house plants, and it seems to work. Scale is a terrible problem for me on my lime and curry trees, but I put some DE in the soil mix, adding even more to the top 2" or so, and I didn't have any problems this last winter.
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Post by binnylou on Aug 12, 2023 14:02:09 GMT -5
Is there a “best time of day” for applying diatomaceous earth? Okay for applying during full sunshine? Somebody is eating newly sprouted late bean crop. When one row of beans is sprouted and all there, and the adjacent row has 4 of the 14 beans sprouted, that’s not germination failure. I soaked some new bean seed overnight, and just replanted to fill in the blank spots. If this continues, I’m gonna run out the calendar for a fall crop.
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Post by ahntjudy on Aug 12, 2023 17:42:42 GMT -5
Hiya binnylou. Can't answer your question but will say just be careful to not breathe in any. I would wear a mask while dusting plants especially if there's any breeze.
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