Make Rhubarb Garden Spray

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Rhubarb garden spray is an effective spray for controlling aphids and other sucking insects, as it suffocates them. It is excellent for plants such as roses, which tend to suffer from aphid problems.

Ingredients

  • 1kg / 2.2lbs rhubarb leaves (not stems - use the stems for cooking rhubarb for dessert)
  • 2 litres / 67 fl.oz water

Steps

  1. Place the rhubarb leaves into a large pot.
  2. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes to half an hour.
  3. Strain off the leaves.
  4. Dilute. The solution should be diluted 1 part solution and 9 parts water; in other words, add 9 litres / 2.3 gallons water to create the spray.
  5. Use. This spray should not be stored but should be used within 24 hours to achieve the best effectiveness.

Tips

  • Be sure that you really need to use this spray, as it is indiscriminate. It will kill beneficial insects like bees, as well as the pest insects.
  • Do not boil this mixture in a tin pot; it will react with the rhubarb leaves.

Warnings

  • Rhubarb leaves are potentially toxic to human beings and concentrating them may increase this potential. Do not consume any plants that have been sprayed with rhubarb spray within 48 hours after spraying.
  • See Use Homemade Garden Sprays Safely.

Things You'll Need

  • Non-tin pot; preferably ceramic coated - ensure this is not a pot used for cooking purposes but only for making organic garden sprays
  • Chopping board and knife to remove stems from leaves
  • Bucket for dilution process
  • Spray bottle or spray pack

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