It’s a fact that using artificial chemicals to care for plants can be harmful to you and even your pets. Luckily, there is potassium soap, also known as potash or potassium soap. It is a product capable of controlling various diseases in the garden: all without contaminating or causing health problems.
In fact, it is a means accepted and used in organic farming, since it has low toxicity and very high effectiveness. Read on to learn more about its benefits and how to use it.
What are the benefits of potassium soap for plants?
Potassium soap is an excellent organic insecticide. It is composed of vegetable oils, water and potassium hydroxide (KOH). These components are mixed to produce a pH-neutral substance that has excellent properties as a household insecticide. Because of this, it can be used without problems on plants, since it does not affect plant tissues.
In addition, it does not attack certain insects such as bees, wasps and bumblebees that provide its benefits. But it does keep other plant pests and diseases such as mealybugs, aphids and spider mites under control.
What is potassium soap used for?
Potassium soap is widely used in agriculture. As already mentioned, its main function is to keep certain diseases and pests under control.
But it also has other important functions, for example:
- It helps to eliminate the weeds that produce the “black fungus”: a kind of dust that can deform plants.
- It serves as fertilizer, since when it decomposes it releases potash carbonate, which is a favorable substance for plant roots.
- It is perfect for attacking harmful insects such as mealybugs, whiteflies, larvae or different soft cuticle insects that affect the leaves, stems and roots of the plants.
- In addition, potassium soap also helps to keep bees nearby to increase pollination. Each of its functions means that this product can be used without restrictions, unlike other phytosanitary products that are more aggressive.
Potassium soap to control aphids
Aphids are usually one of the most common pests in orchards. Fortunately, potassium soap is very effective in combating them. The composition of potash acts by contact on the cuticle of the aphid to break it down and exterminate it. But at the same time, it keeps the cellular structure of the plant intact.
However, you must be very careful at the time of application. The best time to do it is in the early hours of the day or in the late afternoon, and also when it is not raining so that the product is not washed away.
In addition, it is good to use as a dose about 10 ml to 20 ml diluted in 10 liters of water. This ensures that the soap has the desired effect. It is advisable to do several treatments. It is best to apply it to the plant by spraying every 15 days. Pay special attention to the newest leaves and the back of the plant. Undoubtedly, using potassium soap is an excellent alternative to more harmful insecticides.