My Spray-n-Grow order

After studying the catalog for a while, I finally got around to sending in my order. First let me mention that I bought a big jug of Coco-Wet last year, so I didn't need any this time. But it is a very effective wetting agent, and allows anything you spray to perform its best.

The order included Spray-N-Grow and Bill's Perfect Fertilizer. Their regular use allows my garden to look its best. Rats with floppy ears have become a big problem in the last couple of years. (Thankfully I don't have the huge rats with hooves.) So I am ordering Repels-All to try to deter them. I am always looking for ways to deal with powdery mildew on my zinnias, and last year, Actinovate worked reasonably well. There was still mildew, but it seemed to be confined to the surface of the plants. So I am ordering it again. Also in the fungicide category is Serenade; I'll probably alternate it with Actinovate. I am buying Neem Oil, mainly for thrip control. All of these controls are friendly to the environment. Finally, I am purchasing a compost aerator. Home made compost is an important component of my gardening, and I think this tool will hasten its development.

Let me mention that I was one of the winners of the Spray-N-Grow Cover Photo contest. When you order, you get a catalog with a picture of one of my dahlias on the cover included in the box.

Dr. Bob

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill M on February 24, 2010 at 10:21am: DR Bob:

The Physan is an excellent fungicide for plants. It is not organic, but is very safe and biodegrades within 48 hours,no residual. I use it on all my plants along with Actinovate. The Physan kills the fungi within about 20 mins and the Actinovate prevents it from coming back, especially in the soil.

Use two teaspoons/gal water.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by haley mills on March 23, 2010 at 10:28pm: Last year I decided to change one flower garden.
Once I got it cleaned out and new Lillies planted my neigbors cat decided I must have done
this for her. :)
She was very happy with her new litter box.

Tried chasing her away and even tried the water hose, (spraying her) she didnt care.
Then 2 times using the Repel and she never came back.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dr. Bob Stanton on March 24, 2010 at 8:03pm: Haley,

Thanks for the positive feedback on Repel. I was delayed in using it this year, because a large snowbank hindered my access to the back yard. In the meantime, the rats with floppy ears were beginning to feast on my emerging crocuses where the snow had melted. I did finally get out there with my sprayer, and have seen no damage since. A member of my local daylily club suggested at Saturday's meeting that I alternate controls to keep the critters from getting used to the one product. I'll have to see how things develop.

I gave my houseplants a dose of Spray-N-Grow and Bill's Perfect Fertilizer a couple of days ago. Most of them were brought outside, but I poured to into the soil on the plants for which this was impractical. I was rewarded with new buds on my African Violet.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by haley mills on March 24, 2010 at 8:51pm: Have you tried Crushed Red Pepper ?
I have some plants in pots on deck and the squires were digging in them
brought red pepper and put it in those little mesh bags with ties
put them in the pots, no more squires.

Thats so cool that you got one of your flowers on the cover, I actually have that book.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dr. Bob Stanton on March 25, 2010 at 6:39pm: Haley,

I have tried cayenne pepper, along with garlic powder, and the results were pretty good. I've mixed them with water and Coco Wet as a wetting agent, and applied it with a watering can.

Thanks for your comment on my cover photo. There are so many great photographers out there, so I was surprised that an aim and shoot guy like me would win.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by haley mills on March 25, 2010 at 10:41pm: I have lots of pictures of my flowers plus I like to take pictures of some of the storms we have here.Yeah, I pretty much and aim and shoot person too.
Would post a few pictures of really pretty thunder heads but dont know if I can.
Love to take pictures of them but as soon as I see Lightning well Im the first one inside,; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lynne Forlenza on June 26, 2010 at 11:08am: I bought some Physan 20 for my Rust problem & have used it twice at the first sight of rust. It seems to be working, but then (And I'm really embarrassed about this) I saw all the warnings on the label. I got the feeling I should be wearing a HazMat suit to use it! What gives? I thought this stuff was natural & safe! I stopped using it until someone can tell me why all the warnings when everyone is saying it is so safe to use. Thanks; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by haley mills on June 27, 2010 at 11:55am: Have a new picture up here of one of my Dahlias, pretty white and purple.; ▶ Reply to This