Surfactant (Spreader/Stickers)

[dice]

Comprehensible explanation of what a surfactant is:
http://www.aussiesoapsupplies.com.au...Word-p-19.html

[Wi-sunflower]

Yah, BT is just the shorthand for Bacillis Thurigensis, which I probably mis-spelled, which is why most people just say BT. It goes under a whole lot of brand names like Dipel.

One thing to check tho is the date on the package. Because it's a living organism, it can "die", especially if not stored properly. We have used some that was beyond date and it did work. But better to get the fresh stuff.

Carol

[amideutch]

Another definition from our Australian friends. Ami


SPREADERS/STICKERS

Spreaders (also called surfactants): Typically reduce surface tension of water, and so cause water to spread more uniformly across surfaces. Concentration of the material is critical as well. Surface tension reduction can adversely affect the integrity of cell walls, resulting in death of organisms that such a spreader may contact. Testing is required to know effect on the biology at different concentrations.

Stickers:Increase tackiness or ability to stick to surfaces, and thus help the organisms stick to leaf, bark, flower, or seed surfaces. Often, just through the presence of copious amounts of sugar, protein or carbohydrate, organisms will make sticky glue-like materials. The growth of organisms in a tea brew results in the production of the sticky materials required to stick the organisms to surfaces, the instant they reach the plant. Addition of molasses, or oatmeal, for example, increases the growth of organisms that make sticky glue-like materials. Only if dealing with waxy-leafed plants, in dry periods of the year, are additional stickers commonly useful.