Most gardeners have heard something about using soap and/or oil on their plants but not known enough about it to give it a try. What type do I use? How do I mix it? Where do I buy it? HVH has simplified all this for you with the introduction of the HVH Recommended Jungle Rain Clean Leaf Spray. Natural and non-toxic, this is an unique blend of Castile Soap, citrus oil, and vegetable oils.
Here's what San Diego Home & Garden writer, Damon Hedgpet, said about the HVH Recommended Clean Leaf Spray:
"I used Jungle Rain to clean up black sooty mold from citrus trees, gardenias, scheffleras and hibiscus. I found that the product not only removed the mold and left the foliage shiny and refreshed, but it had an effect on whiteflies and aphids as well. The soap seemed to dehydrate aphids and the citrus oil appeared to paralyze whiteflies, After two applications of Jungle Rain, both were gone. Since both of these pests are persistent problems in San Diego gardens, I highly recommend this foliage cleaner as an alternative to dangerous chemicals and pesticides that are not doing the job anyway."
By spraying tops and bottoms of leaves with Clean Leaf spray you effectively:
- Wash away sooty mold (the result of sap sucking insects) and dirt.
- Maintain a clean and shiny look to the plants.
- Avoid smelly, toxic pesticides.
- Promote photosynthesis which is good for plants and flowers.
- Use a great smelling product that is safe even for fruits and vegetables up to the time of harvest.
If soft-bodied insects, aphids for instance, are hit with the spray as you wash the leaves, the Castile Soap (potassium salt of fatty acids) removes the insects' outside coating which causes them to dehydrate. The Citrus Oil knocks out their central nervous system, and the Vegetable Oil suffocates them.
Castile Soap benefits potted plants in other ways, too. If it is sprayed or drips on the soil surface, it loosens the surface tension of the soil, allowing better water and fertilizer penetration. Cleaning plant leaves allows more sunlight to penetrate the leaves, allowing for maximum photosynthesis to occur. Clean leaves are more attractive, healthier, and harbor fewer insect pests. For all these reasons, HVH highly recommends the use of Clean Leaf on hibiscus.
There is one caution: Don't spray plants in mid-day in direct sun as the leaves can be burned under those conditions. Read the directions first, then apply in the shade or in the evening.
For squeaky clean hibiscus, rinse after application with the highly effective Bugblaster hose attachment.
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