tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post6837190685727613000..comments2023-12-23T04:37:14.632-08:00Comments on Gaia Garden: A Bit Beyond Official Bt DoctrineGaia Gardener:http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692281131036600613noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-10380618938533604462012-05-27T12:00:52.023-07:002012-05-27T12:00:52.023-07:00GonSS, This year the cabbage loopers have been ba...GonSS, This year the cabbage loopers have been bad in my veggie garden - the broccoli and cauliflower leaves look like lace. BUT (and this is a big "but") we've had plenty of broccoli and cauliflower - before eating it, I just have to be extra careful about searching the heads for extra protein!Gaia Gardener:https://www.blogger.com/profile/00692281131036600613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-45424798622493006172012-05-27T11:58:53.262-07:002012-05-27T11:58:53.262-07:00Greg, I appreciate your insights. I'm not goi...Greg, I appreciate your insights. I'm not going to try to get into whether or not pesticides should be used in agriculture, but I know that I don't need them here in my home garden. <br /><br />Incidentally, I've seen statistics that show farmers now lose about twice as much to pests as they did back before the big pesticide boom in the late 1940's. There was a lot to be said for letting natural predators do some of your work for you, instead of relying completely on chemicals (which kill off both pest and predator, at least temporarily).Gaia Gardener:https://www.blogger.com/profile/00692281131036600613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-42054644491271136532012-05-26T15:50:08.730-07:002012-05-26T15:50:08.730-07:00I have never used Bt. Just never hit my radar I g...I have never used Bt. Just never hit my radar I guess.<br />I use a couple of insecticides on a couple of specific plants/areas. Once I got more birds in my garden, many pests started getting into a balance. Once in a while I lose a few things. Right now, my cabbage is being attacked by flea beetles. Hard to duct tape stuff when it jumps!Gardener on Sherlock Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11367115529793643362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-7712726545659861512012-05-26T11:29:49.264-07:002012-05-26T11:29:49.264-07:00I worked for a wholesale pesticide/fertilizer dist...I worked for a wholesale pesticide/fertilizer distribution company for almost 20 years. I've sold tons(literally) of pesticides. I agree with your assessment on trust. <br /><br />Most products are developed for corporate profit. If the product is not effective it will not be sold. Most corporations are developing products which are more "environmentally friendly": short residual, growth regulation, chitin inhibitors, beneficial organisms, and products which fit EPA's fast track registration.<br /><br />I'm not pro/con pesticides. However I believe they are necessary if order to provide vast amounts of (cheaper)food. I'm afraid if we did away with some of these our food structure would suffer. <br />I just think we should ask for more sustainability. Maybe the higher price of oil will add too much cost to products from foreign economys and provide a more competitive market for local and regional economies. <br /><br />In conclusion, post/pre treatments with insecticides are usually done because the plant is under stress because of wrong growing conditions. Either wrong climate, micro-climate, over management, wrong zone and other problems. I suppose this means more native plants should be used from your local growing region which have adapted to your own condiions. <br /><br />Talk about rabbit chasing....I better get back to gardening!greggohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10490422976382424491noreply@blogger.com