Kaolin Slurry Experiment For Spring

Post Reply
User avatar
GoDawgs
Reactions:
Posts: 3741
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 6:38 am
Location: Zone 8a, Augusta GA

Kaolin Slurry Experiment For Spring

#1

Post: # 33358Unread post GoDawgs
Sun Nov 01, 2020 7:45 am

I've read posts about using kaolin-based Surround to help keep insects away from plants. It's given me an idea for next spring. I'm right in the heart of white kaolin country. Maybe I could make a thick kaolin slurry and paint it on the main squash stems next spring and see if it confuses the SVBs. Maybe the squash borers wouldn't recognize the stems and leave them alone.

Two days ago while at the feed & seed, I was telling the young lady who always helps me about this and she said that her dad is the boss at one of the nearby mines. She could get me some of that beautiful white kaolin to play with. She called the next day and said that she had some for me. Good grief, I just needed a cup or two and and was given a couple pounds of it in a brown paper bag! It's been processed into a fine white powder so I'm ready to play with it come spring.

User avatar
Labradors
Reactions:
Posts: 676
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 3:38 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Kaolin Slurry Experiment For Spring

#2

Post: # 33366Unread post Labradors
Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:23 am

Good luck! Let us know how it works out!

Linda

User avatar
pepperhead212
Reactions:
Posts: 3105
Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2020 12:07 am
Location: Woodbury, NJ

Re: Kaolin Slurry Experiment For Spring

#3

Post: # 33377Unread post pepperhead212
Sun Nov 01, 2020 4:06 pm

I tried surround on zucchini once, and it worked, but only briefly. Problem is, there will be some new growth, and the eggs will be laid on it, before the next application. I got a few squash, but eventually, the SVB won out.
Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b

User avatar
GoDawgs
Reactions:
Posts: 3741
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 6:38 am
Location: Zone 8a, Augusta GA

Re: Kaolin Slurry Experiment For Spring

#4

Post: # 33393Unread post GoDawgs
Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:01 am

Thanks for that input, [mention]pepperhead212[/mention] . I will have to be diligent.

I wonder if painting cukes would work on pickleworm? Hmmm, white chalky cukes... probably more work than it's worth to wash the stuff off. Still, I will try it on one or two once the pickleworms make their first attack.

User avatar
brownrexx
Reactions:
Posts: 2079
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 1:05 pm
Location: Southeast PA, zone 6b

Re: Kaolin Slurry Experiment For Spring

#5

Post: # 33395Unread post brownrexx
Mon Nov 02, 2020 8:21 am

[mention]GoDawgs[/mention] maybe it would be good on cukes that will be peeled. I would rather have peeled cukes than ones eaten by pickleworms.

User avatar
pepperhead212
Reactions:
Posts: 3105
Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2020 12:07 am
Location: Woodbury, NJ

Re: Kaolin Slurry Experiment For Spring

#6

Post: # 33403Unread post pepperhead212
Mon Nov 02, 2020 11:01 am

[mention]GoDawgs[/mention] I use Surround on cukes, tomatoes, as well as eggplants, and the powder stays on them well through rain, but wipes off well, when cleaning them in the kitchen, so none are peeled. I don't get pickleworm, KOW, but definitely other bugs on the leaves, and it keeps most off. But with eggs laid on the fruits, it might be a problem like with the SVB - new growth areas have to be covered with the kaolin quickly, before the adults find it! And that's hard to keep up with. I found this out with pepper maggots years ago, when I tried Surround on peppers. It sort of worked, but new peppers appeared so quickly and constantly, that eggs would be laid on t
the new ones before my next spray, and by the time the eggs are on them, nothing helps, as the minute larvae burrow into the fruits, just like with the SVB into the vines.
Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b

Post Reply

Return to “Diseases, Pests & Cures”