Farmers tackle pests with colas

Abnshrek · 05-20-2014, 02:12 PM

I know this is an old article but I'd like anyone's input.. I think my Banana's said, "they are thirsty".. :^)

Pallen · 05-20-2014, 04:24 PM

Sounds like using it as true "pesticide" would be incorrect but it is a natural way to attract ants that are the true heros of the day. Also it sounds like mixing up a corn or sugar syrup yourself would work too. It is just Colas come premixed.
The cola companies should not be too upset, they are making sales after all. They just do not want their names associated with the "pesticide word. Using their cola to attract natural predators that love their cola, just like humans do, sounds like a green thing to me.

Kat2 · 05-20-2014, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pallen

Sounds like using it as true "pesticide" would be incorrect but it is a natural way to attract ants that are the true heros of the day. Also it sounds like mixing up a corn or sugar syrup yourself would work too. It is just Colas come premixed.
The cola companies should not be too upset, they are making sales after all. They just do not want their names associated with the "pesticide word. Using their cola to attract natural predators that love their cola, just like humans do, sounds like a green thing to me.

I found a link that discusses using sugar water to attract ladybugs and other beneficial inspects here in FL. http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/mas...n%20Plants.pdf (BTW, it also mentions the baking soda spray for fungus which a local nursery recommended (never tried to upsell me) so they might be onto something.) Simple syrup is cheaper than Coke.

crazy banana · 05-20-2014, 05:44 PM

It might refer to the Phosphorous Acid in Cola. Phosphorous Acid is used as a fungistat to fight Late Blight in potato and tomato crops. It aids to fight of brown algae which might cause root rot.
But seriously, how much cola are we talking here? I better have a soda myself instead of sharing it with my plants

Abnshrek · 05-20-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat2

I found a link that discusses using sugar water to attract ladybugs and other beneficial inspects here in FL. http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/mas...n%20Plants.pdf (BTW, it also mentions the baking soda spray for fungus which a local nursery recommended (never tried to upsell me) so they might be onto something.) Simple syrup is cheaper than Coke.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Significant quantities of sodium will maim or kill most plants.

I think I'd wouldn't mess w/ Baking Soda in quantity.. :^)

Kat2 · 05-20-2014, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

I think I'd wouldn't mess w/ Baking Soda in quantity.. :^)

I haven't and don't plan to do so. Recommended was 1 T per gallon for here; I found a guy in zone 7 (MD) who upped it to 2 T before the 90 degree weather set in than backed off to 1 T. I did maybe 1 tsp. in a quart in what I sprayed this afternoon and we're watering now. I was stunned to think that too much of a pantry ingredient could damage plants but I have seen what too much dish soap does so I'm a believer.

Abnshrek · 05-20-2014, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat2

I haven't and don't plan to do so. Recommended was 1 T per gallon for here; I found a guy in zone 7 (MD) who upped it to 2 T before the 90 degree weather set in than backed off to 1 T. I did maybe 1 tsp. in a quart in what I sprayed this afternoon and we're watering now. I was stunned to think that too much of a pantry ingredient could damage plants but I have seen what too much dish soap does so I'm a believer.

So what does to much Dish Soap do? :^)

Kat2 · 05-20-2014, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

So what does to much Dish Soap do? :^)

IME, it suffocates plants because surfactants take over. 1 T per gallon is all you should use--more than that and you're borrowing trouble IMO. Several years ago I mixed a 4x dose and lost plants. Better to retreat daily with a weak solution of "friendly stuff" than 1 big spray of "I'm sick of the bugs and stuff".

Abnshrek · 05-20-2014, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat2

IME, it suffocates plants because surfactants take over. 1 T per gallon is all you should use--more than that and you're borrowing trouble IMO. Several years ago I mixed a 4x dose and lost plants. Better to retreat daily with a weak solution of "friendly stuff" than 1 big spray of "I'm sick of the bugs and stuff".

Is that cause it has the antibacterial stuff in it or does that matter?

Kat2 · 05-20-2014, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

Is that cause it has the antibacterial stuff in it or es that matter?

My favorite was Sunlight without any extras--hey, I even used it to shampoo my hair and it got rid of psoriasis for me (I have a very mild case and limp hair--this gave it body) but I can't find it any longer. I now use just generic dollar store stuff these days without goodies. It's not as effective IMO but it helps.

05-20-2014, 02:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,483 BananaBucks : 159,063 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,444 Times Was Thanked 16,427 Times in 5,230 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,314 Times	Farmers tackle pests with colas I know this is an old article but I'd like anyone's input.. I think my Banana's said, "they are thirsty".. :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

05-20-2014, 04:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pallen Container SDC Hobbyist Location: Eugene, OR, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Paullen Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 138 BananaBucks : 29,146 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 241 Times in 82 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 113 Times	Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas Sounds like using it as true "pesticide" would be incorrect but it is a natural way to attract ants that are the true heros of the day. Also it sounds like mixing up a corn or sugar syrup yourself would work too. It is just Colas come premixed. The cola companies should not be too upset, they are making sales after all. They just do not want their names associated with the "pesticide word. Using their cola to attract natural predators that love their cola, just like humans do, sounds like a green thing to me. __________________ It all started with one Super Dwarf Cavendish pup (My Blog)

05-20-2014, 05:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
crazy banana Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,641 BananaBucks : 381 Feedback: 73 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,022 Times Was Thanked 2,960 Times in 1,115 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,972 Times	Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas It might refer to the Phosphorous Acid in Cola. Phosphorous Acid is used as a fungistat to fight Late Blight in potato and tomato crops. It aids to fight of brown algae which might cause root rot. But seriously, how much cola are we talking here? I better have a soda myself instead of sharing it with my plants

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