elmbonsai

Hello, this is my first post, Whoopee!

I spray the leaves of my trees with several different concoctions that I have come up with over the years.

I was wondering if others do the same and what you guys use, I love to hear new ideas and I can't wait to try out other people’s mixtures.

I use one particular spray most often; I call it my "tonic".

Here is the recipe to the "tonic"

You have to say it with a loud and boisterous voice, come on!

THE TONIC!!

1gal. Eleanor’s VF-11
4oz. Superthrive
2tblsp Epsom Salt (Not sodium)
2tblsp Tide Laundry Detergent
2tblsp Lysol All Purpose Cleaner
2tblsp Baking Soda


Here is a breakdown of the ingredients with their major functions highlighted.

Eleanor’s VF-11, micronutrients

Superthrive, de-stressor

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, Which breaks down to a readily available source of
sulfur, which means you'll have greener leaves.


Tide Laundry Detergent, looks like soap acts like soap, but it isn't soap, detergent isn't soap. No worries about your plants dying, yay! It messes with the surface tension of water so fungus and rot can't overthrow your tree, go easy, your tree relies on a symbiotic relationship with bacteria and algae to grow.

Here is and article supporting the use of detergtent
Here is an article that is against the use of detergents
You decide!

Lysol, this is an anti bacterial, degreaser, again be careful of the dosing, you can kill your tree if you use too much.

Baking Soda, This acts as a fungicide



I have been using this for some time and I haven't had any problems with any "bugs", insect or other.

The trees love it, which is what means the most.

When I spray my trees I wet the leaves, you want as little as possible to soak into the soil, as this may interfere with the roots functions.

I mix in the ingredients in the same order they are shown, first is the VF-11 and last is the Baking Soda

If you decide to mix up some for yourself, be careful when you add the Baking soda because the mix will start to bubble up, similar to when you add vinegar to baking soda.

The bubbling comes from mixing an acid with a base, the bubbles are the reaction, actually your creating combustion, pressure, and Tide is a detergent so it bubbles up with the friction caused by the combustion.

You should mix it up in a 2.5gal or larger bucket and let it sit for two days, to be on the safe side, you dont want your bottles to burst, Imagine that mess!
On the third day pour some into the 16oz bottle the Vitamin B-1 came in and close the bottle, shake it up, if the bottle swells up like a soda would if shaken, then you need to let it sit for a few more days.

The liquid isn't acidic, nor will it burn you. Keep in mind that a chemical burn from a base can do as much damage as an acid burn.
Im telling you this to inform you, not to scare you.

Ok, the chemistry lesson over.



The liquid looks like lemon juice and smells like musty tide, earthy but clean, your mom would approve.



Just a side note if you want to green up your grass put a hand full of epsom salt into a miracle-gro sprayer and water as usual.

You can also throw the epsom salt out onto your lawn just before your sprinklers turn on. I’m not sure of the dosing this way, however I have never burned anything using it in the sprayer.

The sulfur from the epsom salt will make your grass the envy of the neighborhood.



Just for old time sake, one more time, say it with me,

THE TONIC!!

I love to make fun of life, what is the fun of life if it isn't any fun.

Sorry for the large post, let me know what you think

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