Spray and Grow

[newatthiskat]

OK just as a start typing in spray and grow as a search is not a good idea! I was just wondering if anyone has tried this product?

http://www.spray-n-growgardening.com...ECTKIT20&top=3

Kat

[ContainerTed]

Half way thru the paragraph, I had found too many superlatives in the ad. My immediate thoughts are "I don't think so, Scooter." That "Perfect Fertilizer" formulation can be bought at the local flower shop for 1/4 the price.

Not for me.

[Wi-sunflower]

I've been vegie farming for 30 years and my Hubby is an agronomist that was in the turf business for over 40 years.

I remember seeing "Spray-n-grow" many years ago and maybe even had a sample of it from a trade show. It was long enough back (more than 10 years) that I can't remember exactly what results I had any more.

But the fact that I never actually bought the product tells me it wasn't worth it or was nothing but HYPE.


On a similar subject --

There are a couple of fertilizer products on the market made from soybean residue. Personally I would NOT use them on Peppers or Tomatoes. Soybeans have a hormonal effect on those crops such that you will get nice green growth but it will be compact or stunted looking and most of the blooms will not set.

One year we planted our peppers and tomatoes in a field that had a lot of soybean residue. We had thought that would be good organic material for the soil. That year many of my pepper plants that normally get too tall to "stradle" when picking, were only a bit over knee-high. The fruit was way late too and not much there dispite a lush if short plant.

That winter at a vegie conference I found a report on weed supression using a soybean product and put 2+2 together.

I don't know what if any brands are still on the market, but just be careful if something mentions soybeans.

[amideutch]

Kat, I used the "Perfect Blend kit" last year with their "Pistol Power Sprayer". I've used the Spray-n-Grow products in the past and had no problems with them. You use it as a foliar spray on your plants. I would not use it as a soil drench as it is way to expensive for that type of application. Other people from here and GW report good/excellent results. Get the small size as that should be more than enough for your needs. Unfortunately when we try new products we use them on all the plants and have nothing to compare the results with. Hey Ray, how about a test next year on the "Perfect Blend" as a foliar on one of your "ETainers". Ami

PS: Their "CocoWet" that comes with the kit does make an excellent spreader/sticker.

[ContainerTed]

Ted, your plants speak volumes about your techniques and the products you use. Maybe I'm just a "quick read skeptic" who's become too cynical.

But that web site hit me like a "Buy Here-Pay Here" Used car ad - too many superlatives (super, best, perfect, etc.)

I get suspicious when there's nothing for sell that's "adequate" or "average" - You know, like the ads used by "Gardeners Choice".

However, with all my skepticism, I have to say that it is also the first place I've found that sells "Actinovate". I also noticed they sell "Repels All" which I used last year and which works very well on the squirrels.

Skeptical Old Bucket Farmer Ted

[newatthiskat]

Thanks for the reply. I found the website because I was looking at actinovate. They also had a mycorrhiza shaker product (Any ideas on it?) I was trying to find an easy place to send my family for christmas gift ideas so I don't feel guilty about getting all this stuff . This time last year I did not know this all was around. I have alot to learn!
Kat

[amideutch]

Kat, yes Actinovate and Mycorrhizae make a great team. I checked out the website for the mycorrhiza shaker and it has the right stuff. Yes they do get a little carried away on their descriptions but they are a solid company with good products. Ami

[brog]

Kat I`ve used spray and grow products for 5 years . Follow the directions on the bottle, you will be more than happy with the results--used their Actinovate last year it is great (no I don`t work for the company and someone else makes their Actinovate. Good luck

[Linda10]

I have used the Spray N Grow product. I didn't see much change in tomatoes (maybe because I already have success with tomatoes), but it was easy to see results when used as directed on fruit trees.

I had one tree that had never fruited in over 5 years, and it produced like crazy that year. I thought maybe it was just a coincidence, so I didn't spray the following year and sure enough, no fruit. I might try it on one of my known low-producing tomatoes next year.

As far as the Bill's Perfect Fertilizer, I've found that my usual fertilizers work just as well for less money.

[bigbubbacain]

I bought the Spray & Grow product once. I was a little intrigued when I noticed that the percentages of iron and zinc were the same as what is listed on another Texas made product called Medina Soil Activator. This product also contains magnesium, which isn't necesarily a bad thing to have in a foliar spray.
Medina Products also formulates for other companies and sells their ingredients as raw materials.

The main difference is that Medina Soil Activator is sold by the gallon for much less than Spray & Grow. Lowe's sells it. Two years ago, I bought a gallon of Medina and mixed it with Coco Wet according to the directions. My results were the same as with the Spray & Grow brand. The thing about this product that was most fun was the dramatic changes that would take place when I would spray and then leave town. I'd come home to find fruits on plants that had undeveloped blossoms only a few days before.

I've gotten my best results when I've been able to spray in the early morning or late evening. Also, your type of sprayer will make a difference too. Use whatever will create a very fine mist. The finer the mist, the better.

[newatthiskat]

Great info everyone. As a newbie It is hard to filter out hype and figure out best way to spend limited amount of money. Also end product is always the hopefull outcome. fist year tried to grow hybrids and they were all nixed by round-up before I even got to eat any. That was lesson #1, never use roundup. This year I decided to not spend money on weed fabric and the weeds quickly overgrew garden and spread all kinds of disease. That is lesson #2. Every year I will have new lessons but I am hoping some lessons will be because I actually did something right. Thankfully that is where all you come in.
Kat

[brog]

Don`t give up Kat, Just try harder. Its not a loss until you stop trying. Remember the little RED CHO CHOO Who said " I think I can-I think I can. These OLD Girls and Guys will keep you on the bright track. I`m look for a 2 lb tom on a vine with 15 other toms on the same vine. I don`t want a plant if all other blooms have been pulled off. I`ll Keep trying until I get one or maybe two or maybe three. oh well dreaming keep me going Good growing Bill

[bigbubbacain]

Don't rule out the possibility of using the Medina with Spray & Grow's 'Coco Wet'. It's the only all natural coconut based wetting agent I've found. One bottle will last for a very long time. Personally, I think that there is something to be said for to foliar spraying with with a Mag, Iron, Zinc product like Medina. I've noticed results not just on tomatoes. On a particular Jasmine called 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', I sprayed the whole plant one friday before leaving town. It was nothing but foliage on friday morning, and was trained to espalier on my brick wall. I got home the following wednesday. I counted 10 flower buds forming on the new growth. Bud production is not that rapid on this variety of Jasmine, so I'm inclined to think that there's something to this. I just refuse to buy into their hype on the micronutrient component of their product line when I know I can get it cheaper at Lowe's or other places as well.

[brog]

Thanks Bubba I`ll do a test plot 4 toms with Medina-- 4 with Spray and Grow. I do 3 to 4 test plots each year, keeps me busy and mind off getting OLD. Good luck and thanks for your info, I enjoy your post very helpful

[newatthiskat]

When you are using these type products how often do you spray? Just when I think I am done I think of more questions
Kat