yucca extract?

[wireme]

http://www.maximumyield.com/index.p...1431-yucca-a-gardening-secret-from-the-desert

On a bit of a hunch I've been trying to research the horticultural use of yucca extract. See the above link, covers most of the claims I've come across. I don't claim to believe all of it but its not a bad pitch. Anyone using the stuff out there?

Interesting read on amino acids on the same site too.

 

[sorce]

Interesting.

 

[crust]

I have used Therm X70 Yucca Extract for years. A pint lasts forever. I have use the stuff as a penetrant/water wetter for preparing organic bases(like composted bark) and for hard to penetrate rootballs and as a wetter/surfacant for pesticide/biologicals.

 

[wireme]

I have used Therm X70 Yucca Extract for years. A pint lasts forever. I have use the stuff as a penetrant/water wetter for preparing organic bases(like composted bark) and for hard to penetrate rootballs and as a wetter/surfacant for pesticide/biologicals.

Those seem to be the most commonly accepted uses. I have a few rootballs that could benefit, a few spruce still recovering in their original balls of muskeg/spagnum for example.

I'm thinking to add a bit to the regular fert regime, at the least helping to avoid dry spots from water following the path of least resistance. But maybe some of these other claims of bio stimulation etc... are valid too.

Maybe to keep things crazy I'll grind up some buffalo berry (shepherdia canadensis) and experiment. It has some similar chemistry and grows all over around my yard.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

One could get the same wetting effect for a lot less money by adding a couple drops per gallon of liquid dish soap. In general, I view this as another in the long list of miracle mystery magic elixirs that pop up every few years. Their main benefit is that they make us feel like we are doing the "best" for our plants. Actual documentation of benefits is very slim. Sure, there are always a few good testimonials, but no real data.

But I do admit to having bought some myself some years ago, it did no harm, didn't hurt my orchids or my bonsai. Can''t say I saw a benefit, but it did not hurt.

One elixir that I do feel works are the seaweed extracts that contain humic acid. These I have actually seen a benefit from.

The idea of adding a surfactant to wet dry potting mixes is excellent, and for this purpose the yucca extract should be useful. Dish soap also works, I have never had a problem with a few drops of dish soap, but the yucca extract would be just as good.

 

[wireme]

Leo, any thoughts on Chitosan? Reading on yucca led me down a path of reading about other ingredients claiming to elicit a SAR (systematic acquired resistance) response in plants. Chitosan and orchids popped up a few times.

Besides SAR and growth enhancement claims also interesting claims of increasing sap flow to combat beetle borers and increase freeze resistance with chitosan applications.

 

[Poink88]

I use something similar...aloe vera extract. You can get it from Walmart or HEB (supermarket).

http://www.herbspro.com/fruit-of-th...DZHzLecSVmQV3JUJKY0gvzaERDlJjiyk-0aArat8P8HAQ

Not sure how much it is helping my plants but I have my own beliefs on how it works that is why I tried it...going on for a year now but only applied 3 times.

 

[wireme]

I'd like to hear about those beliefs of yours poink.

 

[Poink88]

I'd like to hear about those beliefs of yours poink.

I'll share when I am done with some tests I have planned (but kept putting aside). It is in line with what Leo posted but I think the benefit is more w/ yucca/aloe extract.

 

[jk_lewis]

In general, I view this as another in the long list of miracle mystery magic elixirs that pop up every few years. Their main benefit is that they make us feel like we are doing the "best" for our plants. Actual documentation of benefits is very slim. Sure, there are always a few good testimonials, but no real data.

Their "main benefit" is to the manufacturer's pocketbook!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Their "main benefit" is to the manufacturer's pocketbook!

LOL, in a round about way - that is exactly what I meant. We want to feel like were doing the best, they sell the magic elixir, we "feel good" thinking we are doing something really beneficial, the seller laughs on the way to the bank, if we are lucky the magic elixir does not harm, bonsai continues growing and we think "it worked". Really, just basic, no magic ingredient, horticulture is all that is needed.