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Gardening Area => Plant Pests & Infections => Topic started by: TBM on February 29, 2016, 10:55:08 PM

Title: Natural Repellant+Fungicide: Tea Tree Oil
Post by: TBM on February 29, 2016, 10:55:08 PM
Tea tree oil is a camphoraceous essential oil extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia (and others in the Melaleuca family). Tea tree oil is orally toxic, but is safe for use in low concentrations externally and in the garden; even with this in mind, some people with sensitive skin may still have a reaction to tea tree oil (even in low concentrations). Remember to store tea tree oil in an airtight dark container and away from light, as it is light sensitive and will oxidize (do not use if over exposed to light/air).

Ratio: Mix a ratio of 2 tablespoons (~30 ml) with 2 cups (0.48 L) water and shake/mix well and before use (you can also add some insecticidal soap to keep the oil in suspension if you want). Spray on leaves of plants as fungicide every 3-7 days. Avoid spraying during the brightest hours of the day and on overly dry plants to prevent burning leaves. Some plants are sensitive to foliar application of tea tree oil, consider testing a small area of your plant first for sensitivity if you are unsure.

You can use it as an insect repellant simply by putting a few drops of tea tree oil onto cloth/paper strips and hanging them around the garden to disperse the aroma, although it does not repel everything so consider using in conjunction with other aromatic oils.
Title: Re: Natural Repellant+Fungicide: Tea Tree Oil
Post by: LIBERTYNY on March 01, 2016, 01:13:41 AM
Never used it in the garden, but tea-tree oil can make a great anti-fungal in general, But their can be a big difference between the same tea tree oil concentration levels.
 theirs some strange fda rule that lets them legaly mislabel the products concentration levels

Giant/japan KnotWeed is said to work well aswell / never tryed it thow
http://www.oisat.org/control_methods/plants_in_pest_control/giant_knotweed.html
Title: Re: Natural Repellant+Fungicide: Tea Tree Oil
Post by: Stonehenge on March 01, 2016, 01:53:57 AM
Tea tree oil is also good for stopping itches. Works better than anything I've tried.