Re: Nicotine

writserv@mi.net
Sun, 11 Feb 1996 08:32:17 -0400

>
>And, of course, the chlorine bleach would most likely oxidize the nicotine
>at the same time is is destroying the virus particles.
>
There are Tobacco Mosaic Virus strains that
>are known to attack orchids.

>Carl Gustafson

I have been using a nicotine spray for over twenty years, both indoors and
out and have never had a problem with it. I got the recipe from a
greenhouse grower who had been using it for all his gardening life. It is
nothing knew, my grandmother knew of it. The fact that it is easy to make
and inexpensive (as a non-smoker I ask my few smoking friends and
acquaintences to save their butts in order that I might kill vermin with
them) and environmentally friendly makes it appealing. A pouch of tobacco
should last all season.

The solution with the chlorine, I have only used outside on roses and such
spraying directly onto the target insects. This keeps the bees and other
benificial insects healthy and cuts the amount of the spray used to a
minimum. The results are always devestating to the insects sprayed and
often a second application is not needed.

I have had one occasion to use nicotine on an orchid. A Paphiopedilum
became infested with red spider mite. After two treatments the infestation
was gone and there was no recurrence. I rarely have to spray my CPs,
although a D. capensis and a VFT had aphid infestations in their crowns
which this solution took care of in short order. I still have all the
plants, or their offspring.

Due to what has been said here and on the list (quite lively and
informative), I may reconsider using this solution on my orchids and I will
watch my tomatos more closely during the season. In the main, however, I
have seen nothing to discourage the use of this treatment and until I run
into a virus problem, will prefer its use over that of costly, less
effective (for me, at least) and environmentally unsafe pesticides.
Remember, I am treating problem insects on plants specifically and
effectively, not ten acres at a time. If a virus does show up, I'll make
sure that it is properly identified, and destroy the plant. If TMV should
occur, I will reassess my use of a nicotine spray.

Regards,

Rand Nicholson