How to use celandine for aphids
Content:
The article describes in detail how to use celandine from aphids: the mechanism of action of the plant, methods of processing, reviews of summer residents.
Celandine from aphids: mechanism of action on pests
Celandine is a valuable plant that has a fairly wide application. The properties of celandine make it possible to use it both as a constituent agent used to treat various diseases, and as a natural insecticide in the fight against certain insect pests. However, most of us, forgetting about these properties, mercilessly pulls it out, sending it, at best, to compost.
Meanwhile, having this plant on its site, there is no need to spend money on the purchase of insecticidal preparations against such pests as the ubiquitous ants and aphids. The latter, despite their small size, which is only a few millimeters, cause great trouble, drawing nutritious juices from plants. And in tandem with ants that spread aphids, these pests can be found anywhere. In order to prevent their spread throughout the site, an insecticide should always be at the ready. Celandine is perfect for these purposes, and the amount of solution that can be prepared with this plant will allow you to process a fairly large number of trees and berry bushes, especially favorite aphids.
Substances such as organic acids, essential oils, bitterness and alkaloids that make up celandine have a detrimental effect on insects. Once in the pest's body, they cause a spasm, from which both ants and aphids die quite quickly.
Celandine from aphids: soil and plant cultivation options
You can use celandine from aphids in several ways.
Dusting is a fairly simple, but quite effective way of processing. Celandine against aphids is collected, dried well and crushed to a powdery state. The resulting powder is scattered over the area.
Gardeners note the particular effectiveness of this method of soil disinfection before planting bulbous plants. By the way, it is believed that at the time of flowering, the concentration of substances that make up the plant is maximum. Therefore, it is recommended to collect and dry the grass precisely during the flowering period of celandine.
When identifying a large number of fruit trees and berry bushes attacked by aphids, and for processing them, it is advised to use an infusion of celandine. For its preparation, it is better to use freshly cut plants. The bushes are crushed, filling the bucket, by about one fifth, add boiling water to the full volume and insist for about half an hour. After a set time, the solution is filtered and proceeded to processing. Such treatments are carried out several times, until the pests are completely destroyed. The same infusion can be sprayed on fruit trees when caterpillars appear on them.
To carry out celandine from aphids by watering, in order to destroy both the larvae of the aphid and its adults, the infusion is prepared in a slightly different way. The plant is crushed, bringing its amount to half a kilogram, poured with ten liters of water and insisted for about 30 minutes. To prepare the infusion, all parts of the plant are used, both the aerial part and its roots. When the infusion turns brown, you can water it.
The infusion of celandine is effective against aphids on vegetable crops.This infusion is more concentrated, since, for its preparation, it uses a larger amount of plants, about 3.5 kilograms, and it should be infused much longer, at least 1.5 days. Filter the infusion before processing.
Since celandine juice contains toxic substances, it is better to use gloves when working with it. Containers for the preparation of infusion, knives, scissors, sieves, must be washed with soapy water, and then running.
Another way to use celandine from aphids is fumigation. This option is suitable for processing fruit trees and vegetable crops. The grass is laid under a tree or near the beds and then set on fire. In addition to the fact that the smoke destroys pests that have already settled on trees and plants, it also scares away other insects that also encroach on your crop.
It is not uncommon for celandine from aphids to mulch vegetable beds or planting vegetables in greenhouses. In this case, cultivated plants are provided not only with moderate soil moisture, but also protection from various pests.
It should be noted that celandine helps to fight aphids not only during the growing season of trees and plants, but also ensures the safety of planting material in winter. For example, before laying the bulbous for storage, they are kept for a couple of hours in an infusion of celandine prepared from 150 grams of dried herb, filled with 5 liters of water, infused for 5 days.
Since dried celandine is often used for various treatments, we will pay a little attention to its collection and drying.
Herbalists recommend harvesting celandine from aphids from May to June, during the flowering period of the plant. At the same time, according to popular beliefs, medicinal herbs need to be collected only from the roots, since its healing power is in integrity. The roots are cleaned from the ground, dry and damaged leaves are removed. Celandine is washed, collected in bunches and hung out to dry. The room in which the grass is dried should be well ventilated, but, at the same time, the plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight. If the herb breaks easily, this is a sign that the celandine has dried properly.
Gardeners reviews
Both experienced gardeners and novice gardeners note the effectiveness of using celandine from aphids
Some, for many years, have been practicing the prevention of the appearance of aphids on vegetable crops, laying out the cut celandine between the plants and, periodically, throughout the season, changing the dried grass with freshly cut one.
Others, who previously had an idea only of the medicinal properties of celandine, and who have recently learned about its insecticidal effect, successfully fight aphids on fruit trees, treating them with infusion of celandine.
At the same time, everyone notes the quick action of celandine against aphids, the ease of processing and the many crops that can be saved from pests with the help of celandine.
Many gardeners have changed their attitude towards this plant, having become convinced in practice of its beneficial properties.
Celandine from aphids: video