has anybody heard of using mouthwash as a cure for black spot on plants etc. And if so what is the mix..
I've not heard of it for treating black spot, but I was given the advice on another site to use it against rust on fuchsias.
The advice I was given was Listerine mouthwash containing eucolyptol and menthol at a 10% dilution (50ml : 500ml) and to spray it on. I don't know how often.
I've yet to try it as I was given the advice late last year, but I've got the Listerine ready.
As black spot and rust are both fungal diseases its got to be worth a try. ;D
valmarg
Thank you valmarg for your reply, I will try it , after all you can use it undiluted on yourself so it can`t be so bad. Thank you again for your reply. Goog Gourd.
If a blackspot spray is £6.50 a litre and listerine is £7.40 a litre. Why?
I'm not sure you've got the right essential oil. I've always heard that listerine contains thymol, and it certainly smells the same as the stuff I use to treat bees. It's a pretty effective fungicide. it would work out a lot cheaper to buy thymol though.
Quote from: ACE on January 16, 2009, 14:44:20
If a blackspot spray is £6.50 a litre and listerine is £7.40 a litre. Why?
Because it was on special offer in Sainsburys 2 x 500ml bottles for £3.00. ;D
It does contain thymol.
valmarg
You'll get 100g of thymol from Thorne's for a fiver or so, and knowing them, there are probably cheaper sources. So why mess around with Listerine?
I'm sorry, but if you read my original post I only gave recommendations I had been given for rust on fuchsias.
Rust is the bane of the fuchsia grower, and anything that can help against the scourge would be welcome. I have in the past dunked cuttings in a weak solution of Armillatox before planting.
R_B, you go from ml to g measurements, and 'Thornes' is and unknown company round here. ;D
valmarg
Sorry, I've been having major problems with my internet access. I'm back now anyway. I know I'm going to grams, but how much thymol is there in Listerine anyway? The stuff's really quite poisonous, so I imagine very little.
Hopefully this will take you to Thorne's 'Health' page, and you'll find it halfway down. There must be cheaper places though.
https://secure.thorne.co.uk/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/millhouse/thorne/shop/shania?ACTION=thispage&THISPAGE=page23.html&ORDER_ID=268853238
R_B the ingredients of Listerine are aqua, alcohol (probably not gin ;D) benzoic acid, poloxamer 407, eucalyptol,methyl salicylate, thymol, menthol, sodium benzoate, caramel. Thymol being so low down this list means there is probably very little in it.
The instructions include 'do not dilute, swallow or swig from the bottle'. ??? ???
I shall give it a go on the fuchsias as the advice was from a professional grower/breeder and they are ornamental. I wouldn't try it, for example, against rust on leeks.
valmarg