Previously, I found that maintaining healthy zuchini plants was very challenging. Although I went out into the garden each evening to manually remove the many caterpillars from each leaf, the critters still won. They devoured my otherwise healthy plants. However, after learning this homemade garden pepper spray trick, I have not been seeing any caterpillars. They have all disappeared.
Ingredients & utensils
- 2 cups hot water
- 3 tbsp finely ground hot pepper
- 3 tsp dishwasing liquid OR oil
- Spray bottle
Instructions
1. Combine pepper and hot water in a jar
2. Allow the pepper mixture to steep overnight
3. Add the other ingredients
4. Strain away the powder and store the garden pepper spray in a cool place. I was told that homemade pepper spray stores for up to at least 3 months. However, I can not be sure since I use it up within a few weeks.
5. Spray onto the foliage. I target the bottom of the leaves to minimize the extent to which rain can wash away the pepper spray.
6. After using the pepper spray, empty and wash the spray bottle. I do this to prevent the harshness of the pepper spray from damaging the spray mechanism.
6. After using the pepper spray, empty and wash the spray bottle. I do this to prevent the harshness of the pepper spray from damaging the spray mechanism.
*** BUY TROPICAL SEEDS ***
First off, THANK YOU FOR THIS BLOG! I can find very little/limited information about tropical gardening on the web and stumbling onto your site is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely give this spray a try. I have been battling melon worms on my zucchini plants for the passed month and it's driving me crazy! I have tried hand picking, soap spray and neem oil but the battle rages on! I'll let you know how it goes her in sub-tropical PR.
Since your last blog comment, have you had success with getting rid of worms on melons and zucchini plants? Did the spray work for you ... or did something else work?
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