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Post by PigPog on Aug 10, 2008 1:44:14 GMT
Yeah, I'm with Doris on this one... I'd avoid the organic bananas just in case and I think radish leaves are bad for them.
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Post by pigmadsarah on Aug 10, 2008 7:09:39 GMT
Thanks all xx
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Post by chrisandsarah on Aug 25, 2008 19:27:34 GMT
OK I've got the answer for you about organic bananas (we work for the Soil Association, a charity which certifies organic food)... bananas with a Soil Association logo ( www.soilassociation.org) are not ripened using cyanide, but a small amount of ethylene can be used to ripen them, which is a natural chemical given off by some fruits (e.g. bananas) when they ripen, which is why if you want to ripen avocadoes, you can stick them in a bag next to bananas.... Still don't know if guinea pigs can eat them though!! Sarah
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Post by eppingstrider on Aug 26, 2008 10:01:35 GMT
Ooh, Chris and Sara, what a really useful place to work! Do you have a list of things that can be used organically on crops? I need to get rid of pesky cabbage white butterflies/caterpillars that have stripped my kale!
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Post by chrisandsarah on Aug 28, 2008 16:20:00 GMT
Hi ES Few ideas for you to try for your kale problem - some nicer than others (I'm no expert mind you, just offering suggestions of what works for us!!) - Squash them!! If you can't bear to squash them, maybe stick them on the bird table for birds to eat?? - Net curtains over the top!! (any fine mesh will do) This will deter slugs too if you are lucky! - Make your own "pesticide" using squashed up french marigolds, some washing up liquid and water, then put it in one of those spray bottles and spray it on (I've not actually done this but it is reputed to work...). Hope that helps. Good luck Sarah
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Post by eppingstrider on Aug 29, 2008 19:03:57 GMT
Thanks a bundle! I have steeled myself to squash them but instead of getting easier with time it gets worse! I had been going out to rub the eggs off every lunch time, but you miss a couple of days and wham - the caterpillars are everywhere. Next year I'll grow them under mesh. The marigold mixture sounds good though, I've got marigolds out now, I knew I was growing them for some reason!
I'll get squirting!
Umm do you know if spraying with marigold mix will make them bad for GPs? Or will it be ok after washing?
Reason for Editing: Sudden thought....
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Post by PigPog on Aug 30, 2008 15:47:42 GMT
Thanks chrisandsarah for the organic info! Looks like you guys are dark horses with a very useful background! This is going to be very helpful to lots of members. Have a carrot.
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