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Re: Diatematrous Earth Now Diatom(aceous) Earth

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Greetings to everyone:
In case anyone needs other information about DE. Here is a starting tidbit:
DE stands for diatomaceous earth which refers to the mineral base that is created from thousands upon thousands of the the microscopic unicellular plants (gold or golden brown algae), sometimes diatoms.

This little plant, the diatom (aceous means containing), makes a unique coating of glass (silica based) that surrounds the plant, instead of the normal rigid plant cellulose wall.

That glass shell is what is so dangerous to insects. They walk or slime, or slide over the diatom(aceous) earth, and they are cut or sawed into bits. 

Diatom(aceous) earth is organic, and I agree that a gardener should never used the pool DE exactly because the glass IS smooth. The pool DE won't work to prevent insect attacks on your crops, but it can give you silicosis if you inhale too much of it. (Always protect your lungs when you put any mineral or other substance on your crops).

I hope this bit of information helps,
Sheryl A. McCoy
---
"Nature uses only the longest threads to weave her
patterns, so that each small piece of her fabric
reveals the organization of the entire tapestry."
-Richard Feynman


On Sun, 6 Jun 1999 14:40:56    William D Clark wrote:
>Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html
>
>
>DE will work on beetles, fleas, ticks, ants, and most bugs with
>exoskeletons. It can be used in dog runs, lawns, carpets etc. However
>always use the horticultural DE and not the DE sold at Pool Supply
>stores. Pool DE is the same thing, however it is heated to high temps
>which makes the DE smooth and cuts down on it's effectiveness.
>Horticultural DE sold at garden supply stores and nurseries is in it's
>raw natural state and has sharp microscopic edges which is what gives it
>it's killing power on bugs.
>
>Dale Clark
>San Antonio, TX
>Zone 8
>Where plants don't freeze....they fry.
>
>On Sun, 6 Jun 1999 00:52:54 EDT KLViger@aol.com writes:
>>Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html
>>
>>In a message dated 99-06-05 23:34:44 EDT, you write:
>><< "DE" WILL kill hard shell insects. It works by getting in the 
>>joints of
>> the bugs then grinds away and saws off their little legs. Works well 
>>on
>> flea beetles.>>
>>
>>     Cool. What else will it work on? 
>>
>>Lisa V
>>
>>
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