The Knucklehead way to Grow a Blog

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DonH

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Just an observation, but spraying the underside would prevent the rain from washing it away but how fast does it break down to where is not poisonious. Just thinking that if rain doesn't wash it away, you might end up smoking insectides. a 2 day break in the weather is all you might need to get rid of those vermin with a top application and a repeat if necessary on another nice two days.
BT breaks down really fast. That's why you have to apply it every two weeks.

edit: Just looked it up and found this: http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Bacillus_thuringiensis

in heavy sunlight the half life is 3.8 hours. Which they say is good because insects can't build up a resistance to it.
 

Jitterbugdude

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Gardens Alive sells a BT with some type of UV inhibitor in it that is supossed to extend it's life to somethinglike 5 days. It's probably cheaper though to just buy the regular stuff and apply often. This brings up another point. Keep records of your bugs, when you first see moths and "butterflies", when you see eggs and worms. This will help you to get on a regular spray schedule. Where I live I spray about 3 times the entire growing season. I know that about July 1st I will usually see my first hornworms. No sense spraying in June. I just saw them yesterday. They are pretty much all dead today. I'll spray again in 2 weeks. I'll begin harvesting in 3 weeks.

Keep in mind too, spray your buds and seed pods. This will prevent budworms from eating your seeds!
 

DGBAMA

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thanks for that JBD. from reading it was sounding like the BT treatment was pretty much weekly or after every time it rained for the whole growing season. More than I wanted to deal with. But if I can time the first spray by first eggs/small worms and only a couple bi-weekly treatments after that, then I would consider it a viable option. Otherwise I will patrol the patches and pick them by hand as Bob does.
 

workhorse_01

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I've had zero worms on my tobacco this year. I did have two bud worms eating my tomatoes. Tonight the bats were flying in and out of my bacca patch like corsairs, Boy it sure is a blessing to see the moths disappear before they land. Tip #1 Build your bat house where you plan to plant your tobacco!
 

DGBAMA

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I've had zero worms on my tobacco this year. I did have two bud worms eating my tomatoes. Tonight the bats were flying in and out of my bacca patch like corsairs, Boy it sure is a blessing to see the moths disappear before they land. Tip #1 Build your bat house where you plan to plant your tobacco!

We have bats. And building a house is easy.........but how do you get them to use it?
 

workhorse_01

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3yrs! I've never seen it any faster. You might try wood that has weathered for about a year or so. If you can find some that old that the termites have left alone. If you build it to the proper spec's, and mount it on a good pole, and at the correct height... They will come. Don't give up hope, that's when they usually come.
We have bats. And building a house is easy.........but how do you get them to use it?
 

DGBAMA

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3yrs! I've never seen it any faster. You might try wood that has weathered for about a year or so. If you can find some that old that the termites have left alone. If you build it to the proper spec's, and mount it on a good pole, and at the correct height... They will come. Don't give up hope, that's when they usually come.

How about a new thread for "pest control via bathouse" or something similar with a few pics of yours for those of us interested to emulate? Would be good info.
 

workhorse_01

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That's fine with me. You start it. I never start them in the right place, and I don't want to be sent to time out by FM. for putting it in the wrong place. I think I can get some video at dusk tomorrow night for it.
How about a new thread for "pest control via bathouse" or something similar with a few pics of yours for those of us interested to emulate? Would be good info.
 

AmaxB

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thanks for that JBD. from reading it was sounding like the BT treatment was pretty much weekly or after every time it rained for the whole growing season. More than I wanted to deal with. But if I can time the first spray by first eggs/small worms and only a couple bi-weekly treatments after that, then I would consider it a viable option. Otherwise I will patrol the patches and pick them by hand as Bob does.
You might be patrolling a lot

How about a new thread for "pest control via bathouse" or something similar with a few pics of yours for those of us interested to emulate? Would be good info.
That would be an interesting thread
 

Knucklehead

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I'm fairly certain my first patch is a goner. Every two days the bottom layer of leaves are rotten and I've been pulling them off. Today I noticed a plant feel very fragile as I was pulling off the rotten leaves. I went down the row moving plants from side to side and there is practically no support. The root balls feel as though they are the size of my fist. I think most of the roots have rotted away. Also, the plants are putting out roots above ground level. Every plant, every variety. I think they are trying to compensate for the loss of the roots below ground. I pulled up my smallest virginia, and the deep roots are totally gone, there was a half palm size root system remaining at ground level.
 
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DGBAMA

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what an awful morning. Find a cup of coffee and a good smoke and take a break.

If BigB doesn't quit, you can't either.
 

istanbulin

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I'm fairly certain my first patch is a goner. Every two days the bottom layer of leaves are rotten and I've been pulling them off. Today I noticed a plant feel very fragile as I was pulling off the rotten leaves. I went down the row moving plants from side to side and there is practically no support. The root balls feel as though they are the size of my fist. I think most of the roots have rotted away. Also, the plants are putting out roots above ground level. Every plant, every variety. I think they are trying to compensate for the loss of the roots below ground. I pulled up my smallest virginia, and the deep roots are totally gone, there was a half palm size root system remaining at ground level.

I'm not sure but I think you had extreme unusual weather this year (?). Sorry to hear this situation. Next year may be better, sunny, shiny and enough rainy, don't give up quickly. If I had that much land as you have, I wouldn't give up. If you have sloped areas in your land, next year you may plant some there to get rid of excess amount of water. I won't be the one who will shoot you, I promise :)
 

Knucklehead

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It'll all be good tomorrow. Today I'm going to bask in the glow of self pity and woe is me. It goes good with beer :eek:
 

Boboro

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Just plain bad luck on the weather. You still got grow out plants that can be smokein plants. Its got to dry out soon.
 

AmaxB

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Would like to say something to make ya feel better but what's to be Said.
#%$##@^%*&^*!!!! All done tomorrow is a new day.
 
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