Another insecticidal soap question

[NCTIM]

Aphids are beginning to show up in number now and they’ve got to go.

My question is by what means do you apply your soap. Do you use a spray bottle, pump sprayer or a hose end sprayer?

I have about sixty plants and a spot check tells me that some have aphids while others don’t. Do you take the time to find the plants with aphids and then try to apply the soap directly on the bugs or do you just spray the whole plant?

My thought is to use a hose end sprayer and give them all a thorough soaking ( use enough water and the underside can’t help but get wet) and then rinse the soap off within a half hour.

I’ve read a lot of recipes for homemade soap spray but I don’t recall seeing one for use with a hose end sprayer. I wonder how a bar of ivory soap in the "jar"and a setting of 3oz per gal would do?

Thanks,
Tim

[Suze]

Originally Posted by NCTIM

Aphids are beginning to show up in number now and they’ve got to go.

My question is by what means do you apply your soap. Do you use a spray bottle, pump sprayer or a hose end sprayer?

I use a hose end sprayer (ortho dial and spray).

Originally Posted by NCTIM

I have about sixty plants and a spot check tells me that some have aphids while others don’t. Do you take the time to find the plants with aphids and then try to apply the soap directly on the bugs or do you just spray the whole plant?

I spray all the plants.

Originally Posted by NCTIM

My thought is to use a hose end sprayer and give them all a thorough soaking ( use enough water and the underside can’t help but get wet) and then rinse the soap off within a half hour.

That's pretty much what I do, including the rinsing off. If I lived in a cooler climate, I probably wouldn't bother to rinse off.

Originally Posted by NCTIM

I’ve read a lot of recipes for homemade soap spray but I don’t recall seeing one for use with a hose end sprayer. I wonder how a bar of ivory soap in the "jar"and a setting of 3oz per gal would do?

Beats me. I'd suggest using a liquid soap instead so you can know how much you're applying. Also, Ivory isn't a good choice because of how it is made (do a search on this subforum on soap to find out more about good ones to use and why).

One half tablespoon to one tablespoon liquid soap per gallon is a general guideline.