Re: Re: CULT: Alfalfa pellets and borers

In a message dated 1/7/2008 1:01:50 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
rshadlow@yahoo.com writes:

<<Oh no, borers were worse than I have EVER seen them.  I  did apply liquid 
Merit around the affected plants, but then found I couldn't  watch while the 
borers munched away while the plants absorbed it.  Ended  up removing most of 
them by hand.  


That sounds like it could be a good place for a drench of Murphy's  in 
solution. 
 
<< Will have to be sure if I use alfalfa that I am vigilant with  the Merit 
as well.  Have since discovered that our city processes some  pretty amazing 
compost, and have switched to that. 
 
If I am understanding you correctly, this is really not a one on one  
correspondence. Whereas it is true alfalfa adds organic matter to the soil,  its 
chief claim to fame is that it releases chemicals on decomposition which  are 
generally understood to be growth stimulants.
 
Most compost mixtures--assuming they have really been composted and not  just 
ground up and aged--add humus--that is to say organic matter-- to the  soil, 
and that is a good thing if the soil needs it, which most of them  do---but, 
as Bill Shear reminded us here some years ago, they don't add much  in the way 
of fertilizer. They improve tilth and water holding capabilities,  and may 
impact pH marginally, which may make the nutrients in the soil more  available, 
but their efficacy is more physical than chemical.
 
But, as Laurie can tell you, there are no magic formulas, best culture is  
site specific, and, having found something that works in one's garden is worth  
a good deal. For the record, I've not seen any correspondence between the  use 
of alfalfa and any insect activity. 
 
It does seem reasonable that if one is growing a more succulent crop  of 
rhizomes the borer may find them more attractive as fodder, but I  don't know that 
insect consciousness actually works like that,  especially in weak-flying 
moths that are comparatively short  lived.   
 
Cordially,
 
Anner Whitehead
Richmond VA USA USDA Zone 7
  








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