earthworms on the earth of Srimati Tulasi devi

[Guest guest]

Mother Nature has some answers....

 

Growing Cilantro (Chinese Parsley) close to plants really discourages aphids

and other like minded insects.

 

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) grown in the greenhouse acts as a more

attractive plant to the aphids tastebuds and also reduces the white fly

problem considerably.

 

Ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens) the common bright red beetle consumes

enormous amounts of aphids, whitefly, spider mites and egg masses of many

insects.

 

Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea - Chrysoperia rufilabris - Chrysoperia

commanche ) feed on almost all garden pests. Used extensively in California

vineyards they are so voracious that they merit the name "aphid lion".

 

Bio-Neem is a new botanical insecticide extracted from the seed of Neem and

highly effective on aphids and others.

 

Earthworms have to have a large area to work in as they improve the soil by

burrowing in pursuit of food. This aerates and makes for healthy moisture

retaining soil. Each worm ingests its own weight in organic matter every

twenty four hours and the resulting castings are a highly nutritious

fertilizer. But with most of our Tulasis living in pots it is not so

feasible to add the decaying organic material that they need to survive. Nor

would worms stay very long in such a confined environment.

 

On the other hand vermicomposting....using worms on a large scale to break

down the temple wastes makes the finest humus and when that is mixed with

cow manure it cannot be bettered. As nature intended. Yet with no worms to

take that to Tulasi's root area it seems the best solution for feeding

Tulasi is as Kusha Prabhu mentioned...a tea of cow manure.

ys

JJd