Over the years it has been my pleasure to introduce new and innovative gardening products which solve the various problems that us gardeners have.
For instance I was the first one, many years ago, to introduce Neem Oil and Neem Cake products.
I have noticed a aspect in this world and that is when you introduce something that is successful you suddenly get a number of people that jump on the band wagon to make money.
Hence we now see several brands of Neem sprays and even one in a small clear bottle that is not even Neem Oil but a seed oil like Soya with active ingredients added.
The active ingredients of Neem are broken down fairly quickly by light and if in a container that allows light in.
Then within next to no time it would be ineffective and you would be spraying a very expensive seed oil onto plants which would have no affect in controlling pests. I pointed this out to the supplier, but of course they took no notice that I am aware of.
That’s why Wallys Super Neem Oil and Wallys Super Pyrethrum are in dark blue bottles to completely prevent light degrading them.
Many years ago I introduced Vaporgard to use for frost protection and stress prevention of transplants.
The sprayed on film gives down to minus 3 frost protection within 3 days of application for a period of up to 3 months. The down side is; a recovery time is needed of about 3 days before the plant is able to withstand another frost.
If there is two or more frosts in a row then you need to use frost cloth or other protection for the second and third frost.
Now I am proud to present a new product which I have called Wallys Spray on Frost Protection which comes in a 500 mil and 1 litre chamber pack with its own unique measure chamber.
Wallys Spray on Frost Protection is fast acting and if applied the day before a heavy frost it will be doing its job; with frosts down to minus 8 and even as cold as minus 18.
The first spray you do at 50 mils per litre of water to give good coverage over the plants you wish to protect. Then one month later another maintenance spray at 25 mils per litre.
You continue doing a monthly spray till end of frost season.
Home gardeners and fruit growers dread a late frost when their fruit trees are in bud and flower which devastates the crop for the season.
No problem with Wallys Spray on Frost Protection; when there is going to be a late frost just spray at the 50 mil rate to protect the buds and flowers. Best time to do this is later in the day when the pollination has finished for the day.
So how does this new product work? Its a bit of new science that has discovered how freezing temperatures damage tender plants.
Pseudomonas fluorescens, a species of bacteria, has been the subject of extensive research due to its potential applications in sustainable agriculture. One of the most promising applications of P. fluorescens is its ability to control frost damage in crops.
Pseudomonas fluorescens: A Natural Frost Protector
Pseudomonas fluorescens has been found to significantly reduce frost damage in crops.
Research conducted in Australia and worldwide has reported up to an 99% reduction in frost damage at temperatures as low as -15°C.
This significant reduction in frost damage has led to reported increases in yield ranging from 25-100% for numerous crops across many regions.
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism by which P. fluorescens achieves this remarkable feat is through a process known as ice nucleation activity (INA). Certain strains (not all) of P. fluorescens are known as INA- bacteria, meaning they lack the genes responsible for the production of ice-nucleating proteins (INPs). These INPs are critical in frost injury as they provide a suitable nucleus for ice formation.
P.fluorescens strain, an INA- bacterium, has been found to have efficient activity at temperatures ranging from -8 to -15°C.
This means that this strain of P.fluorescens can effectively prevent frost damage in crops even at these low temperatures.
A Game Changer
Wallys Spray on Frost Protection is a unique blend that includes an INA strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens. This product offers a natural solution to frost damage, providing protection for most crops.
It out-competes ice nucleating bacteria, effectively reducing virtually all frost damage from crops.
It has proven more effective than wind, water or frost cloth as these rely on altering the temperature not the cause of the frost damage.
Advantages Over Other Methods
The use of P. fluorescens as a biocontrol agent offers several advantages over traditional methods of frost damage control.
Unlike chemical pesticides, P. fluorescens is a natural solution that does not harm the environment or ecosystem.
Moreover, it does not lead to the accumulation of toxic residues in the environment or cause undesirable effects on non-target organisms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pseudomonas fluorescens offers a promising, eco-friendly solution to controlling frost damage in plants.
Its ability to significantly reduce frost damage and increase crop yield makes it an attractive alternative to traditional methods of frost damage control.
Wallys Spray on Frost Protection product, which contains Pseudomonas fluorescens, further enhances this potential, offering a practical and effective solution for home gardeners and farmers worldwide.
Pseudomonas fluorescens besides its frost protection also has other plant benefits;
Pseudomonas fluorescens acts as a biocontrol agent by inhibiting soil-borne pathogens such as Phytophthora, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia. It achieves this through:
Production of antibiotics. Competition for nutrients. Induction of systemic resistance in plants.
It has been effective in reducing disease incidence in crops like rice, wheat, mustard, and vegetables, protecting against fungal pathogens and nematodes.
The bacterium promotes plant growth through multiple mechanisms: Synthesizing phytohormones like auxins.
Solubilizing phosphate and enhancing nitrogen fixation. Producing siderophores that improve nutrient uptake.
Its application has shown significant yield improvements in crops such as potatoes, radishes, sugar beets, and rice.
A new product with many advantages besides a unique frost protection.
This week I will be putting my initial 50 mils per litre spray on my several Banana Palms (Didn’t do soon enough last year) plus my passion fruit vine, avocado trees, tomatoes and Choko vine along with any other frost tender plants.
Winter ready that is the answer.
Whole Sale prices
- Available in 500 mils chamber pack for $14.00 (makes 10 to 20 litres of spray) and in 1 litre Chamber pack for $25.00 (20 to 40 litres of spray)
- No Sku numbers just use Names eg Wallys Spray on Frost 500mils
- Opening special …Orders of 12 or more of either size or combination of 12 total a 10% discount till end of April put in order form Special Discount
Image credit: Jametlene Reskp
Products mentioned are from Wallys Range of products and can be found in some garden shops or by Mail Order on www.0800466464.co.nz
Problems ring me at: Phone 0800 466464
Garden Pages and News at www.gardenews.co.nz
Shar Pei pages at www.sharpei.co.nz
Mail Order products at www.0800466464.co.nz
