I've been reading about this protein-based product which stimulates growth by tricking the plant's immune system into over-ride. Is it available in Canada? I checked the website and have left a query. The folks on the Roses forum are nuts about it, and I want to try it on my brugs. (And everything else!)
Meanwhile, here's a bouquet of salpiglossis. They are a great cut flower. A little sprawling in the garden and boxes, but such a fabulous bloom.
It's available only in our dreams! :'(
I think Lilypon is right, Andy. I have been looking for a Canadian supplier for months...to no avail. :(
Beautiful Bouquet. Thanks for sharing!
Don
The Eden Bioscience web site says that Messenger is "....approved for sale in the United States, Mexico, China, and several European countries...." I tried using their "Contact Us" link to see if they were in the process of obtaining approval in Canada, but keep getting an error when I attempt to "Send message". --Ginny
I got the following response to my query at Eden:
"Unfortunately Messenger is not yet registered in Canada. We are
working on the registration process, so please feel free to check back with
us from time to time. Hopefully we will have registration for next
spring.
Best Regards,
Lisa Bednarski"
Oh well....
Well, at least it is an encouraging note for next Spring...
Don
Beautiful bouquet.
Joan
Hi from Japan where it is nearly 10 am on the 1st.
I e-mailed the company once and they confirmed it is not available in Canada.
Ann
This thread peaked my interest and I went searching for what the protein in this messenger actually did to the plant to increase its growth and disease resistance.
The protein structures are known as 'hairpin' proteins and they are bits of proteins extracted from plant pathogens. When you spray these proteins on plants, the plants recognize the protein as foreign and produce genes that act against these proteins. In other words, this protein triggers the plant immune response.
I dug deeper and found that it does this by causing the plant to produce a hormone known as salicylic acid. You CAN spray plants with salicyclic acid to produce the same effect (I've done it in my lab, I just didn't know that my SA treatment and messenger were the same thing!). But pure SA is quite toxic in large quantities so you won't be able to find it on the shelf in a store.
BUT if you spray your plants with safe products containing low doses of SA you should produce the same effect as messenger. The 'easiest' method is to soak willow bark in warm water and spray this on your plants. This is only easy if you have willow trees about. But you can also spray your plants with diluted oil of winter green which is high in SA. Oil of wintergreen is regulated in some places because it can be used to make asprin (acetyl salicylic acid) so you might have to ask a pharmacist to order it for you - I know you can get it at a pharmacy in Ontario because its always used in highschool and university chemistry labs. And as SA is used to make asprin you will be able to elict a similar (but not exact) effect on your plants if you spray them with diluted asprin. That 'old wives tale' that cut flowers last longer in water mixed with asprin has a scientific basis. I'd try different concentrations. Perhaps start with one 500mg asprin/L (or two regular strength asprin) to start and slowly work up to the right amount. Too much will kill your plants so don't buy generic brand asprin for a few bucks and go wild.
Also, another name for salicylic acid is Beta Hydroxy Acid which is common in facial creams and acne medications. So if you look for other products with this ingredient you can also find SA so you might want to experiment.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that since we can't get messenger in Canada, you might want to try something else that is readily available. Personally, I'd go for the asprin option because its super cheap. Although not SA, it is close.
(NOTE: if you Dmail me I can tell you where you can buy pure SA, how to handle it, and what concentration to use, but you'll have to keep it away from children and pets because its very concentrated. Although household cleaning products are probably just as toxic. Anyway, I would personally go with the other less toxic options instead of storing chemicals around the house)
heavenly - thanks for the interesting information.
Ann
Thanks heavenlybubbles! I'll be sure to try this out next year. Right now, my plants are (mostly) starting to wind down for the fall and winter. In the meantime, if anybody else in a warmer zone than me does try it out, I'd be interested in hearing what aspirin:water ratio worked best for you. --Ginny
Me too on your last question, Ginny. I'll try a regulat aspirin in a litre and report back, even this late in the season. --A
Thanks :-) --Ginny
