I've read somewhere that you can use rhubarb leave to make an insecticide, does anybody have any information about methods as i can remember where i saw it :)
from fork in 2007 ;D
Re: rhubarb leaves
« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2007, 16:56:56 »
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Basically you boil up a few pounds of rhubarb leaves in a few pints of water for about 15 or 20 minutes,
allow to cool,
then strain the liquid into a suitable container.
Dissolve some soap flakes in this liquid and use it to spray against aphids
Thanks, ;D This site is like a giant oracle ask any question someone will know the answer .I love it ;D
http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-uses.html#TOC71 (http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-uses.html#TOC71)
works a dream I've used them on cabbage white caterpillars and aphids with success.
and remember if you spray something that can be eaten make sure the application is done a few weeks before harvest to ensure its been washed off by rain and general watering. i try and refrain from spraying the harvestable part of the plant if i can.
It contains oxalic acid, which I use straight out of the packet. It's very soluble in water, so as long as you wash anything which has been sprayed it'll be OK.
Does rhubarb leaf insecticide have to be made fresh or can it be stored. If so, how long for?
Janet
On the link that thifasmom has given it says it will keep for a couple of days
Thanks Shirl. I will give it a go. Do you know if it can be used on all plants. I have lots of greenfly on clematis & roses etc.
Janet
hi i think it would keep longer because the batch i made august last year was used up about three weeks ago and quite effectively too but i still only make small batches at a time about 2L worth then i can put all in a 2L spray bottle. also i think what helped it to remain viable was it being kept it in a dark cool place when not in use.
I believe it can be used on any plant and i have successfully used the fresh batch i have made on seedlings and young plants of all types when the need arose in the last two weeks. as a precaution though you could do a spot test on one leaf and if spraying try and do it when the sun is not shining to direct or to hotly on your plants to prevent scorching. (not that i ever stick to this rule I'm to eager to spray the offending white fly, etc there and then, then i start worrying about me poor plant but so far no losses/ scorches ;))
PS remember it is an insecticide so it will kill the baddies and the good guys. last year i chose to wait and let nature balance things out on my broad beans and runnerbeans because when i came to spray there were some ladybugs already there and i didn't want to eliminate them and be solely dependant on the spray. it did take longer that i liked but they found a very good balance eventually with hover fly larvae also joining in the feeding frenzy a few weeks later :).
Thank-you thifasmom. That is very helpful & informative. I shall be scrounging rhubarb leaves if I see anyone picking theirs tomorrow.
Janet