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July 16, 2014

Help! My Plant is Sick!

Unlocking The Emergency Pest Control Protocol
That Knocks Out Plant Pests and Diseases Time and Again

Only registered students can access all the units. TAP to UNLOCK ALL the Units.

emergency-ID-100116533In this learning unit, you’ll get a proven step-by-step Emergency Treatment Protocol that I use whenever I notice any signs of pests or diseases on any of my plants.

It’s amazingly simple and effective.

Up until now, I’ve only shared this protocol with participants of my advanced two-day food gardening workshop, but it’s so simple and so amazingly effective that I’ve decided to share it with a wider audience.

But first, some background to help you understand why it works so well

It fits into the big picture

One of the principles at the heart of my approach to food gardening is reducing the need to use sprays and harmful chemicals. This may seem like a difficult – even unrealistic – goal to strive for, but food gardeners everywhere will attest to the fact that it makes gardening more enjoyable – and safer for everyone than ever.

In the big picture “healthy plants don’t get sick”

Given the opportunity, your plants have a cunning ability to keep themselves healthy. Even in the middle of summer, when pest problems are more severe, the crisis will pass and your plants will get another chance with each new season. Plants have been making use of these second chances – devising their own self-defence tricks – since time began.

In sound health, the natural defensive systems of plants are capable of easily repelling and coping with (even destroying) any potentially harmful organism (pest or disease) that may be encountered.

In the big picture “plants get sick when subjected to adverse conditions”, such as malnutrition, stress, adverse weather, etc., to the extent of exceeding the plant’s capacity to cope.

Once the plant is freed of the adverse influences responsible, it will immediately, without any outside help, commence to restore itself. And if at the same time optimum conditions of nutrition, water, sunshine, and fresh air are provided, the restoration will proceed at a surprisingly rapid rate.

As you use the Emergency Protocol, it’s important that you don’t lose sight of this big picture of food gardening.

Are you ready for the Emergency Pest Control Protocol?

Then fasten your seat belt because it’s unlike anything you’ve seen or heard before.

The treatment consists of 5 simple steps. The first three are all aimed at restoring the ailing plant’s natural immunity and the last two are aimed at alleviating the symptoms in the short term.

emergency-ID-100245341Step 1 (Immediately): Brew a pot of chamomile tea

Apart from being an excellent calmative and nerve tonic for humans –and pets – Chamomile is known as “the plant’s doctor”. Take a cup of tea yourself to soothe your nerves, and to give you time to assess the situation, let the remainder of the tea cool down, and give it to the ailing plant. It is a terrific pick-me-up for both of you.

I first spray the leaves and then water the plant with the remainder. I’ll do this once in the morning and once late in the afternoon.

It’s important to apply the first three treatments as both a spray and a watering. Not only does it give the plant the opportunity to maximize its uptake of the treatment, but it also treats the ‘soil life’ which may need a little support as well.

In severe cases – you be the judge of the severity – I’ll make a combo tea with equal parts of chamomile and lemon balm, and I’ll add a few drops of Bach Rescue Remedy to the combo once it’s cooled down. Again, I’ll give this twice.

Step 2 (1 day later): Give the plant a tonic

My first choice as a tonic is a seaweed or kelp spray.

These products are best described as growth enhancers and they make plants more pest-resistant by improving their overall health.

They provide an extensive menu of nutrients such as iron and boron that plants need, in very small amounts, for proper growth and development. Plants can absorb these nutrients through their leaves which is a huge plus when a plant is under stress.

What’s more, these products also contain amino acids and enzymes that promote stronger growth and increase plant yields.

In all cases, mild or severe, I’ll only give one tonic treatment, consisting of both a spray and a watering at the same time.

Step 3 (1 day after step 2): Give the plant a multi-vitamin

My first choice is a home-made aerated compost tea and store-bought fish emulsion combo. In the absence of the first, I’ll only give the fish emulsion.

In cases where I’ll be harvesting the plant within the next month or so, I’ll only apply this as a watering, I won’t spray the plant. But when harvesting is still a couple of weeks away I’ll also give the plant a spray.

You can also use any water-soluble fertilizer you have if you don’t have compost tea or fish emulsion.

Step 4 (1 day after step 3): Prune the plant if possible

Now that you’ve boosted the plant you can prune it back and remove and destroy the invested material. This rapidly reduces the pest population which gives the plant a chance to bolster its defences.

Obviously, this step only applies to those plants that can be pruned at the growth stage they are at.

Step 5 (1 day after step 3 / 4): Give the plant meds

The aim of this step is to relieve the symptoms in the short term. That means spraying the plant with something that will kill the bugs.

Yes, that’s right; I’m going to use a “poisonous spray”. And before you roll your eyes and run for the woods, let me ask you a simple question :

When one of your loved ones is sick, and you have meds in your medicine cabinet that you know will make them feel better, will you refuse to give it to them?

Well, I love my plants as much as I love my family, and their health comes first. I don’t hesitate to reach for my apothecary when the need arises.

But here’s the thing:

  • I make 100% sure that my ‘diagnosis and prescription’ is correct
  • I follow the dosage to the letter
  • I only give meds to the person/plant that is showing symptoms.
  • And on edible plants, I’ll only use non-systemic contact pesticides.

Off course, whenever possible I’ll use an Earth-friendly spray. But in the absence of the latter, I won’t hesitate to use a “poisonous spray” to spot treat the affected plant.

There you have it , the Emergency Pest Control Protocol = soothe + boost + boost again + prune + spray.

In mild cases, this protocol will knock out the pest or disease. Leaving you with a healthy and happy plant.

In more severe cases it will buy you more than enough time to pinpoint and address the cause(s) of the infestation or disease.

In the next unit, you’ll discover a centuries-old natural law!

To help you win the battle against pests and disease I want to share another of my ‘secret tools’ with you. It’s a modern twist on a natural law observed nearly two centuries ago.

When you apply this forgotten law to your food garden, you’ll be able to harvest loads of crispy fresh vegetables… armfuls of aromatic herbs… and baskets of sweet fruits… all from your own backyard, patio or balcony. Guaranteed!

Take Action

Did you have any “Aha” or “Eureka” moments reading through this? How will that influence your food gardening approach? Please share in a Reply below.

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  1. Pippa Langley says

    January 26, 2023 at 11:05 am

    Supporting the plant with chamomile and other nutrients

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  2. Patricia Du Plooy says

    January 9, 2023 at 6:48 pm

    The chamomile tip is a new one.

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  3. Larissa Llave says

    December 26, 2022 at 9:01 am

    I will plant chamomile so i have a steady supply of it.

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  4. irene naberman says

    October 20, 2022 at 8:57 pm

    I was smiling all the way, I love the way you do things, except for the poison of course….

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  5. Rhiannon Mitchell says

    October 18, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    Camomile tea?!!! This is amazing!! I am 100% going to use this from now on!

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  6. Alicia Fisser says

    July 20, 2022 at 6:34 am

    Intresting emergency treatment. Will definitely give it a try.

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  7. Colin Jardine says

    February 20, 2022 at 8:55 pm

    Wow! now gardening gets more interesting and rewarding.

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  8. Kim Paul says

    January 14, 2022 at 11:36 pm

    Why poison? So many other natural options… Bioneem or the like, knf ohn, predator mites…

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  9. LINGANISILE SIYOYO says

    December 17, 2021 at 8:10 pm

    So new to me that chamomile can cure other sick plants .

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  10. Lynette Barkhuizen says

    November 13, 2021 at 4:54 pm

    I have lost so many plants in my life due to pests and I just couldn’t safe them with the “natural remedies” I’ve googled. I can’t wait to set up a food garden, the correct way, and I feel relieved to finally have trustworthy recipe to nurse plants.

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  11. Vici Kiehm says

    October 12, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    You can use diatomaceous earth food grade to replace everything above.

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  12. Nancy Hillary says

    September 26, 2021 at 7:43 am

    A good reminder to go get some seaweed and to add some blood & bone to the new beds.

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  13. Lynette Barkhuizen says

    September 18, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    Using Bach remedies on plants? Wow?!

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  14. Margie Osterbauer says

    September 13, 2021 at 7:01 pm

    Having a cup of tea with my hurting plant is a pleasant thought. Knowing to apply it to both the leaves and roots is good. I love the step by step instructions. Knowing what to use, how to apply and frequency of application makes it so simple. Thank for this!

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  15. Odette Ninow-Cullen says

    September 6, 2021 at 11:33 am

    Wow! This was very interesting and useful information.

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  16. Jessica Austin says

    August 27, 2021 at 5:36 am

    It makes a lot of sense to treat a sick plant as you would a person…assess, plan, treat.

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  17. Sithembile Makhombothi says

    August 16, 2021 at 12:58 pm

    It’s such an eye opener ,quite interesting ways of dealing with pests.

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  18. Kathy Dlugolonski says

    August 14, 2021 at 10:23 pm

    Chamomile for plants! Amazing. How cool. And to use the herbal tonics is a great tip as well. Thank you!

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  19. Matie vdW says

    August 3, 2021 at 11:48 am

    Loving Chamomile even more!

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  20. Tiffany Hirschler says

    July 27, 2021 at 12:54 am

    I didn’t realize plants needed healing protocols like we do

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  21. Rachel Letze says

    July 24, 2021 at 7:40 pm

    I am definitely going to try this system on my plants.

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  22. Elsa du Preez says

    July 4, 2021 at 5:35 pm

    I second Megan’s comment, the Chamomile tea….

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  23. Megan Martin says

    June 25, 2021 at 5:17 am

    My AHA was with the Chamomile tea. Very interesting!!

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  24. Alice Nabbumba says

    June 16, 2021 at 10:01 pm

    Giving the plant a multivitamin

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  25. Charlette Barr says

    June 14, 2021 at 1:35 pm

    The chamomile tea, I had never heard of, so to me this is great information. I am definitely going to try this. Thank you so much.

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  26. Nelia Eloff says

    May 25, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    Definitly my WOW moment was the camomile therapy

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  27. Susan Messick says

    April 26, 2021 at 3:01 am

    Wow I didn’t know that about chamomile. I will definitely try that. I try to companion plant to avoid problems

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  28. Coretta Brewton says

    April 24, 2021 at 8:14 am

    The chamomile was my moment. I needed this! This is my new go to. Todah rabah.

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  29. Lori Edwards says

    April 12, 2021 at 3:41 am

    Interesting! I have not heard of the step-by-step process before, and while the other treatments are ones I’ve used, chamomile tea is a new one. I’m curious to know how strong you brew it and whether you spray it on full-strength or diluted?

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  30. Fanie Vorster says

    April 10, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    Rescue remedy and Chamomile tea was a surprise!

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  31. Elaine Langdon says

    April 4, 2021 at 5:50 am

    Chamomile tea!! I like that one!!!

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  32. swartbooi.rashida05 says

    February 19, 2021 at 10:23 pm

    I had alot Aha moments. My plants always seem to have pest and unhealthy leaves. These steps will really help me to restore my growth.

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  33. Anne Le Roux says

    January 20, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    Wow, I love this Emergency Pest Control Protocol! I am definitely going to print it out to use!

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  34. Samantha Morake says

    January 17, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    Honestly, I never knew about chamomile and plants.

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  35. Megan Muller says

    January 6, 2021 at 9:00 am

    Emergency Pest Protocol formula makes complete sense! Its never just a quick fix.

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  36. Jeaniqua Linsky says

    November 6, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    The chamomile tea

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  37. Maxime Keever says

    October 18, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    Brew a pot of chamomile tea was good.
    I have heard of using rescue remedy when moving plants.
    Using a spray for the morning and night.
    Guaranteed food on my table in 6 weeks makes me tempted that garfening is my next course 🙂

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  38. debbieadedeji says

    September 8, 2020 at 10:27 am

    My AHA moment is Step 5 ‘give the Plant Medicine’ I did not know that plants can be given Medicine and the Medicine is a ‘Poisonous Spray’. Whao! I will give it a try.

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  39. Simphiwe Macwili says

    August 20, 2020 at 9:08 pm

    Crystal clear and informative information which is easy to follow. Well I am not a garden person but now I have just been converted and any chance I get will follow this good advice. Thanks a lot.

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  40. Ilyn Steyn says

    August 13, 2020 at 11:23 am

    Brew a pot of chamomile tea. 🙂

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  41. Beatrice Frausto says

    August 9, 2020 at 9:31 pm

    I never would of guessed to use chamomile tea to treat a plant.

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  42. Barbara Britz says

    July 31, 2020 at 9:15 am

    I have just brought my roman chamomile seeds. I was not surprised to read the first step as I have studied a little aromatherapy and roman chamomile is one of the most prized and versatile essential oils

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  43. Gerda Van Breda says

    July 24, 2020 at 6:29 am

    My aha moment came with the camomile tea, I heard before that plants are under stress, but never know I can give them a destress treatment! Wow!

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  44. Lynne Stone says

    July 21, 2020 at 6:11 pm

    Keep plants healthy – healthy plants don’t die.
    But if all else fails – I am going to enjoy my camomlle tea :)))))

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  45. Alison Gonzalez says

    July 21, 2020 at 3:59 am

    Wow great info and just in time my cucumbers aren’t looking very well. Inwill do this first thing tomorrow

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Food Gardening Masterclass
Module 1 Going Beyond Organic-
Unit 1 Introduction  - Preview
Unit 2 Help! My Plant is Sick!  - Preview
Unit 3 Liebig's Barrel - With a Modern Twist  - Preview
Unit 4 A Quick Overview of the Go Food Gardening System  - Preview
Unit 5 Food Gardening Activities and Skills Self-Assessment
Unit 6 What is Your Role as Gardener?  - Preview
Unit 7 Problems with Conventional Gardening and Agriculture  - Preview
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