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Thread: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

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    Senior Member Kathryn's Avatar
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    Default washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    going to try this today as rain is on the horizon. couldnt find a thread on here in regards to how much to add. an abc gardening site said a few drops, i guess per litre. does anyone have a good ratio that they are nice enough to share?

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    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    I don't know if it's worth going into the detail or but there are different surfactants for different herbicides. The generic glypho I recently bought recommends the use of a "non-ionic" surfactant.

    Surfactants like Pulse for Roundup are mixed at 200ml per 100ltrs or 2ml per litre.

    In saying that though, I've used household detergents without worry for glypho as they do contain some non-ionic surfactant. I add about 5ml per litre.

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    Senior Member DavidS's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Kathryn just use 10ml per 5 litres, or use 10ml of vegetable oil in the roundup per 5ltrs or any other broadleaf weeder. Vegetable oil is a great surfactant.

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    Senior Member Kathryn's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    thank you. it rained before i could even start spraying ( not complaining) but i will add this to my bag of tricks

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    Member Tender Lovin Lawn&Garden's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    I have used it before and it works and so does putting some diesel.
    Tender Lovin Lawn and Garden Care
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    Senior Member St George's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Sorry everyone but what does the detergent do?

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    Member Tender Lovin Lawn&Garden's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Just seems to make it stick to the plant and not wash off so eaisly
    Tender Lovin Lawn and Garden Care
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    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Put simply surfactants reduce the surface tension of the water allowing better uptake by the plant/weed. Most plants have a waxy covering called the cuticle and it this that surfactants are designed to penetrate more effectively than herbicide alone..

    http://www.thanyagroup.com/research/...25530111_2.pdf

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    Senior Member 63impala's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Compost tea or worm tea are good weting agents also.
    But if you aint ''STIHL'' you aint real....

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    Senior Member Kathryn's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Quote Originally Posted by Tender Lovin Lawn&Garden View Post
    I have used it before and it works and so does putting some diesel.
    you reminded me that we used to mix diesel with starane when we ran out of tordon to basal bark coffe bush. always wondered what the diesel did. now i know. cheers

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    Senior Member Kathryn's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    i read the sky wrong last week and sprayed for clover . just as i finished 4hours of drizzle started. not happy with myself and i promised the oner that i'd be back to respray when the weather was better.
    went there today to respray and was dead impressed that the poison had worked and not just been washed off. all thanks to some washing up liquid in the mix. there'll be some in all my camba m mixes from now on

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    Member Neil&family's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    What ratio kamba m are you using kathryn? Its been a struggle to get rid of my clover.

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    Senior Member simo's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    Put simply surfactants reduce the surface tension of the water allowing better uptake by the plant/weed. Most plants have a waxy covering called the cuticle and it this that surfactants are designed to penetrate more effectively than herbicide alone..

    http://www.thanyagroup.com/research/...25530111_2.pdf
    Spot on Paul
    also I wouldn`t recommend adding veg oil when spraying weeds in lawns, only wetting agent or dish liquid

    veg oil added in round up or the like to use on garden weeds is fine
    ....Nothing like a good whipper....

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    Senior Member seliment's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Paul's comment is right on the mark.
    Users should be aware and understand the difference (roles/purpose) between surfactants and penetrants (eg Pulse), all of which are known as adjuvants.
    It is always good idea to follow the manufacturers recommendations.

    Re products like Starane, Tordon etc... They are carried in an organic solvent that is miscible (capable of mixing with water). You will find that the manufacturer says they can be mixed with diesel (no water) for 'basal bark' application, in which case the diesel dilutes the active ingredient and allows it to be carried THROUGH THE BARK.

    Glyphosate is carried in a water based solution and will not mix with diesel - they are immiscible.
    I can't really see how adding diesel or veggie oil to glyphosate is going to achieve much.
    Better to stick with what manufacturer suggests, and using appropriate spray droplet size and surfactant to ensure that you get a good coverage /film of chemical on the target plants and form big droplets/globules of spray which then just run off the leaves and are ineffective.

    Joe

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    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
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    Default Re: washing up liquid as a wetting agent

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    Put simply surfactants reduce the surface tension of the water allowing better uptake by the plant/weed. Most plants have a waxy covering called the cuticle and it this that surfactants are designed to penetrate more effectively than herbicide alone..

    http://www.thanyagroup.com/research/...25530111_2.pdf
    Or put even more simply. Instead of forming little droplets on the leaves then falling to the ground, the soap or whatever helps the poison to spread out across the surface of the leaf allowing a more even coating and, hopefully, increasing it's effectiveness.

    Jason Forrest
    Fair Dinkum Lawn & Garden Care
    Servicing St Clair, Erskine Park, Colyton, South St Marys
    0407 435 642


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