Topic: tomato blight and aspirin

[moonbells]

I just read a couple of interesting articles on aspirin and blight. Apparently folk have been testing spraying soluble aspirin onto toms and other plants and they have significantly failed to get a load of things like early blight (not late sadly) or aphid attacks.

http://www.islandpacket.com/editorial/col/garden/story/4906255p-4496644c.html

(though spot the typo in the germination rate comments!!!)

Apparently 1.5 aspirin to 2 gallons (US) (that's almost 2 per 2 UK galls) gives results of better plants and better pest resistance which lasts for months from just one spray.

I reckon I might give this one a try (given how weedy my poor tomatoes look at the moment!).  It's not exactly a pesticide I mind ingesting...

moonbells

[Svea]

very interesting. just for spraying, or also for watering?
and what is a gallon in metric? ;)

[MarthaMad]

Very uinteresting! 

[redimp]

I hope they do some more research into this.  I would not call aspirin organic but as it originates from willow, maybe there is some mileage in making a willow tea.

[tim]

UK gal - 4.54l, Svea.

[kenkew]

It seems the active ingredient is salicylic acid. This can be bought in liquid form (for treating a wide variety of conditions) and there are some who may be tempted to 'up the dosage' by using the liquid. Be warned, there are dangers in such practice. The dose in Asprin is very minute and if it works then stick to that dose. (S.acid is the active ingredient used in corn plasters....!)

[redimp]

Ah but is it organic or organic approved?

[moonbells]

Ah but is it organic or organic approved?

well that's the real question!
I suppose if one were to grind up a willow branch, soak it and spray the resulting brew onto the plants it might be!

I work on the principle of would I eat it?
I wouldn't eat derris (hence I now use fleece for flea beetle),  bordeaux mixture or other such last-ditch organic remedies so I don't use them - however aspirin is different. I get migraines. Nuff said.

moonbells

[Merry Tiller]

There is no such thing as completely organic, it's impossible :P

[Rox]

moonbells, thanks for this very interesting piece!  :D whether its' totally organic or not, I for one will be giving this a go - indeed I started this morning with one aspirin in 1 gallon and sprayed all my herbs, veggies and flowers. As per the article, I will be spraying every 3 weeks and  am very keen to see what, if any the results are. The science makes sense enough. Is anyone else  going to be doing this aspirin trial? maybe we can share our results at the end of the season?

[Merry Tiller]

At least they won't get a headache :P