Some of you had expressed interest in knowing more about the secret ingredients used in organic solution used in the moringa plants. So here it is..
We use Aloe Vera, Neem leaves, Tulsi, Cow dung and urine, Asafoetida (hiing in Hindi) and some local country herbs (pictures below). Recently, I read ginger, garlic and green chillies are effective pest repellants, so I have started to include these in the mix as well.
This is called Yeruku in Tamil (Calotropis Gigantia). Leaves secrete a milky solution on cutting them.
This is called Avrambu in Tamil (Cassia Auriculata). Apparently, the flower is good for diabetic patients. Not tried it, so do not take my word for it.. :)
This is called Oomathai in Tamil (Datura stramonium)
Typically, I use 2-3 Kg of cow dung and 15L of cow urine and whatever herbs I can get. After grinding the herbs, they are mixed with the dung and urine and stirred daily for 3 weeks. The solution is sieved and used in the ratio of 10ml/L of water.
Do let us know if you have a secret recipe to combat the bugs!!
We use Aloe Vera, Neem leaves, Tulsi, Cow dung and urine, Asafoetida (hiing in Hindi) and some local country herbs (pictures below). Recently, I read ginger, garlic and green chillies are effective pest repellants, so I have started to include these in the mix as well.
Typically, I use 2-3 Kg of cow dung and 15L of cow urine and whatever herbs I can get. After grinding the herbs, they are mixed with the dung and urine and stirred daily for 3 weeks. The solution is sieved and used in the ratio of 10ml/L of water.
Do let us know if you have a secret recipe to combat the bugs!!
The above plants are very good pest repellent. When compared to pesticide (chemical) which can cause damage to the ecology by killing both good and bad insects, however the above herbs would make the pests to repel (runaway) from the fields. :)
ReplyDelete1) Erukku (Tamil), Madar Plant (Eng), Arka (Sanskrit and Hindi), Calotropis Gigantia (Botanical Name)
This herbs has good medicinal value for humans as well to other living beings. This plant is been used to provide boron content to the soil. For that reason this will be applied in the paddy fields during the soil preparation stage by our farmes.
2) Aavaram Poo (Tamil), Tanners cassia (Eng), Cassia Auriculata (Botn.), Tarwar (Hindi). As you said good for curing Diabetes. In Tamil there is famous Sithar Poem which says Avaram poothirukka saavarai kanda thundo ? ...meaning when Aavaram flower has bloomed why to worry about people dying of diseases!
3) Oomatham Poo (Tamil), Datura or Jimson Weed(Eng), Dhathura (Hindi) Datura stramonium (Botn.). This is been used as one of the herb for insect repellent by farmers. This plant has been seen as herbs in Indian Medicine however others see that as poisonous plant. This is a native plant so we / our ancient Sithars know much better than others. In Indian medicine this has been used for Asthma treatment.
Another Secret recipe which can act as a insect repellant and as well as pesticide is "Pon-Neem".
PON-NEEM:
For perparing Pon-Neem take 400ml of Pungan Oil taken from seeds of Pungan Tree (Tamil), Pongamia pinnata (Botn.) Neem Oil 400ml and Soap Solution of 100ml. The mixture which comes around 1 litre, is called "Pon-Neem" .
Hmmmmmm this is a good composition for Pest repellant. Take 30ml of Po-Neem and add to 1 litre of water and apply to the affected plants. This can be sprayed as prevention mechanism for every 15 days once. However if Pongamia content is more then it may kill the pests. Similarly as a word of caution heavier dosage (that is more than 50ml per litre) , than suggested may cause damage to the plants also .
Hope that helps our little farmers.
Cheers,
Sudharsan
Ooops... sorry for taking too much of your pages.
DeleteThanks for the detailed explanation. Appreciate your sharing of info..
DeleteThanks Sudarshan. Just wanted to know whether one uses the leaves or the fruits. what is the process? Do we crush the leaves first and immerse it in urine and dung. Do enlighten.
DeleteWe crush both the leaves and fruit and mix it with rest of the ingredients.
DeleteThat helps a lot Sudharsan.
ReplyDeleteThe list of plants/tree leaves you can add is very long. The thumb rule is, you can include anything that cattle won't eat.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see many blog followers reverted back with the names of these herbs..Appreciate your help!
ReplyDeleteSir
ReplyDelete1.Is there any method to check if the organic preparation that has been made is of desired quality?
2. The quality of water used seems to be very important. There is mention of using activated water for best results. Water activation can achieved by using flow forms or Vortex treatment, unless you want to try manual method of mixing in a drum. The manual method is not considered very user friendly and able to provide uniform quality.
In USA similar preparations are made and called compost teas. They have developed very elaborated scientific test methods for quality control of their compost tea formulations. Is any effort being considered in India on these lines?
Mr Subodh,
DeleteThanks for your comments. We are mixing manually 2 times a day. I am not aware of any other method (for small scale) operations. Currently, we are not checking the quality after preparation but you have raised an interesting point. Feel free to share with the community in case you find something on this.
Vortex treatment for a barrel can be done by Tripod stirring method. Its simple and easy. For a pyramid shape around the drum with 3 sticks of 12-15 ft height at the junction of the sticks tie a 8-10 ft stick (depending on the height of the pyramid - 1 or 2 feet) so that the bottom of the log is 1ft above the bottom of the drum. Center stick will be used to stirr. Sticks can be of Savukku (tamil) , or bamboo.
Deletehi ..i grow both millettia(pinnata) and moringa in aus..we use the vortex system,the resolts have lead me to now sell the systems here..from the backyard hobby farm to commercial units..the savings and resolts speek for themselfs..
ReplyDeleteKaustabh, how effective are the organic cocktails in controlling pests as opposed to synthetic pesticides?
ReplyDelete