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Montoursville, PA

We may be getting to far away from our early organic gardening heritage to remember that our grandfathers sprayed the plants of pumpkin, cukes and squash with milk for the purpose of curing or retarding powdery mildew.

Therefor it is almost a goes with that suggests feeding pumpkins milk. This spraying also knocked the millions of sucking insects from the plants. This reduced ant traffic so the use of milk got lots of credit. All three factors would return so spraying of milk was continued on a weekly basis. It must have looked like milk feeding to many.

That was the way it was and may still be. :)

3/21/2003 7:50:31 AM

[email protected]

The pH of milk would certainly hinder Powdery Mildew developement.

3/21/2003 8:44:53 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I have used milk on pumpkins leaves last season in the end and it didn't work for me. It wasn't fresh though. The sodium bicarbonate was much better, and I believed that the seaweed like foliar spray is much better as well.

Don

3/21/2003 8:58:38 AM

Mineral Virginia

I think you get into a situation here where you are actually discussing two different applications. Over the last two years, all the dialog I have seen has been around the benefits of "feeding" the plant with milk, thru an IV or other method. Even though you use the term feed, what you are actually doing is applying it to combat a pest issue. Whne I spray liquid sevin on my plants, I know some of it most get absorbed, but that is not my intent.

3/21/2003 10:04:47 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

No.


Not the milk topic again.

3/21/2003 1:10:08 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

You are right Erick, sprayed on leaves it smells owful.

3/21/2003 1:33:39 PM

southern MN

Popular Mechanics magazine had a short article on milk sprayed on grape leaves in Australia.

"Milk makes a first-rate fungicide. Peter Crisp made the discovery while testing traditional plant disease remedies for his doctoral research at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

He found that bathing grape leaves in a weak dilution of water and milk is as effective as using sulfur-based fungicides, which he estimates currently costs the Australian wine industry about $30 million a year. Several organic wineries are testing the treatment."

I couldn't remember the date of the magazine but here is the link on the web
http://popularmechanics.mondosearch.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=9637330&EXTRA_ARG=&CFGNAME=MssFind%2Ecfg&host_id=1&page_id=1193&query=milk&hiword=MILK+MILKY+MILKED+

3/21/2003 2:11:07 PM

Montoursville, PA

Hey we are talking milk being used and understood over a hundred years ago by the Pennsylvanina Dutch who no doubt were taught by their great grandparents. Word of mouth hand me downs. No one in my family befor 1925 would have a worldly thing like a published item in house.

I was born in 1936 in a home that did not have electric until 1942. The first comic book, Donald Duck, appeared in my home about 1945 maybe later. I remember it cost dad a nickel. Some members of the church thought that to worldly.
Some members of the church still do not have electricty.

3/21/2003 8:00:50 PM

porterville,california usa

i know in china the farmers take urine from pregnant cows and mix it with milk. then they let it ferment for a few weeks. when it`s ripe they pour it on leaves of various crops. it`s supposed to be a pesticide and miracle fertilizer because of the hormones from the cows being pregnant. they also serve it warm to favorite guests at gatherings because it gives them a feeling of euphoria. i can only imagine what kind of feelings i would get if someone made me drink it!!! the farmers wife has the honor of collecting the cow pee. after seeing how cows squirt everywhere when the go, it`s a wonder china has as many new births as they do!

3/22/2003 2:00:46 AM

Usa

Docgipe,
You really sound very lucky indeed.
It sounds like you have a very natural life and take a lot of pleasure in the small things.
I have been growing organic and natural for years and would love to find out more about the milk. (Not the urine though)
What is the pH of Milk? Where can I get more information on it. The popular mechanics article does not say much.
I would appreciate any info, and thank you for the naturally organic idea.
Diane

3/22/2003 9:02:48 AM

Montoursville, PA

Diane.........I am of Dutch German ancestry. The family gardening can be traced back five generations and forward one generation X 2 sons and their children helping.
The illuminating fact is we found in a great great grandpaws garden notes to sprinkle (sprayers may not have been invented)milk on cukes, squash and pumpkins when it gets hot and stickey. He likely did not know what or why but someone told him it was good and it was.
I do not know the PH of milk but that is what defeats or reduces powdery milldew. Today I use kelp on Monday. Spot sprays and fungus prevents on Wednesday and fish on Friday.
Today I use three different fungus treatments and rotate their use. I do not use excessive amounts of any spray but I will use them which moves me outside of organic growing principles. There is no way that I would do this much work and not at least spot spray areas with evidence of need.

3/22/2003 9:40:22 AM

Huntsburg,Ohio

I am the one that told all of you guys that and did not listen to me no some one fond info and they believe me now so do what it takes to get rid of bugs so use milk it is good for the bones and it is good for the pumpkins.

3/22/2003 10:13:54 AM

Huntsburg,Ohio

sorry i ment to say now some one found info

3/22/2003 10:14:56 AM

So. Maine

I read the article in Popular Mechanics when it first came out(milk bath fungicide) and was able to make contact with Peter Crisp in Austrailia via email and he told me his test found that using a ratio of 1:5 up to 1:10 milk/water dilution depending on disease pressure seemed to give him the best results.The article was in December 2002 on page 28 and read.....Milk makes a first-rate fungicide.Peter Crisp made the discovery while testing traditional plant disease remedies for his doctoral research at the University of Adelaide in Australia. He found that bathing grape leaves in a weak dilution of water and milk is as effective as using sulfur-based fungicides,which he estimates currently cost the Australian wine industry about $ 30 million a year. Several organic wineries are testing the treatment.

3/22/2003 11:25:48 AM

Tipp City, Ohio

Is this raw or pastuerized milk?

3/22/2003 1:05:22 PM

Usa

That's a good question about the milk (raw/pastuerized).
I can see having to use whatever works. I think the fish and seaweed is great. I would like to try the milk though. But I'll use whatever it takes.
Thanks!

3/22/2003 3:01:58 PM

[email protected]

Milk starts with a pH of near neutrel or about 6.5. But as it spoils the pH drops sharply to less than 5. So it stands to reason that modern processed milk would not work as well since it is processed to retard spoilage. It would at least take longer to work I would think.
Probably why Beer works so well too. pH of beer is 4.

But fungicides are cheap enough, work better, & the beer tastes sooooo good.

Steve

3/22/2003 5:12:07 PM

Usa

So people actually use beer?

3/22/2003 5:24:36 PM

Kansas

DONT WASTE THE BEER MAN!!!! Better yet...i think i've got alittle powdery mildew on myself, everyone quick, send beer here! Hahaha.

Shawn

3/22/2003 7:23:03 PM

Bobcaygeon Ontario

HEHEHE! ya me too!

3/22/2003 8:40:14 PM

Montoursville, PA

'hmmmmmmmmmmmm, what is the PH of urine? N is kinda good! Maybe we could strain the beer and milk through the kidneys befor use.

3/22/2003 10:01:38 PM

Usa

HeHeHe,
I agree with the re-processed milk and beer.
It would increase the pH level to what 6.5
Much better!

3/23/2003 12:44:53 AM