New Hobbie that isn't going well

[Katrina]

Recently one of my hobbies is caring for my herb plants and helping them to survive indoors during our winter season. Well the catnip has a white fungus on it that I don't know how to get rid of. :hmm: If anyone has some advise for me that will still allow me to take the herb as a pain treatment I would greatly appreciate it. Any other best hints on caring for herbs I would love...so far I have a lot of catnip, one cat-mint, and a chamomile plant.

Everything is in a separate room where the cats can't go lol. We have a grow light and other than this fungus and these little small bugs things are ok...better than any other attempt has gone at least lol. (like I said new hobby lol)

[ICNDonna]

Any chance they are over-watered? You might make a telephone call to a local nursery and ask for advice.

Donna

[traceann]

That's what I was thinking too, things may be too damp, or it's powdery mildew. I think there are some non-chemical ways of treating that, like with dish detergents etc.. Yep, call a nursery, find out what you are dealing with and they may have some natural remedies, or come on back and we'll see what we can up with...LOL Any excuse to drag out my gardening books.... :)

Hugs!

[Katrina]

lol Tracey, you sound like me and my med books. So far I am thinking powdery mildew on the powder not really sure with the little tiny bugs. Since it currently has become winter and there are only dead bugs in the house anywhere else I am wondering what is going on. I am going to try baking soda since that was the safest idea I have gotten so far on Google. I need to be so careful with what I do since with the catnip the leaves are one of the main parts I use. It has improved since I started wiping them off with just water...but I still felt that considering the amount of work I was doing I was loosing the battle overall...I couldn't do that everyday...I am still a sick girl. If I didn't think the grow lamp was nice to be around I suspect things would be way worse. lol Anyway, thanks a bunch.

I don't think getting a nursery will happen too soon since I can't do that...and my husband probably would rather do anything else first (although he may send his mom if all else fails).
Does your gardening books say anthing about chamomile? Catnip I have been growing outside for years (although it used to be for my cats till I discovered I needed it more) but always miss it come winter...chamomile is a new one for me.

[traceann]

Hmmm, I will see what I can dig up... I have grown chamomile outside, but never tried inside... I will also check my Jerry Baker book, he has all natural remedies, no chemicals (he uses things like coffee grounds, tea etc) at all that you can put in a squirt bottle and spritz occasionally...I will check them tomorrow for ya!! I am making a note now... I too have a ton of medical reference books...my five foot bookcase is mostly gardening stuff and medical books!! LOL

Hugs!!!

[ICNDonna]

If what you have is aphids, I do know how to get rid of those. We used to dip the leafy parts of the plants in detergent water. Aphids are very small, pale pale green (almost white) and can usually be seen on the bottoms of the leaves. If you can't dip them, you could put some detergent water in a spray bottle and spritz the leaves thoroughly.

Donna

[Katrina]

I don't think I would want to put detergent water on something I am going to be taking in the future. Do I?

[ICNDonna]

Once you get rid of the aphids, it won't take long for new leaves to form; I wouldn't use them until then.

Donna

[traceann]

I agree with Donna, and rinse them well before use. They now have little "salad spinners" for herbs, they are pretty neat. I want one as I grow lots of herbs in outdoors, and use them in cooking etc, and I do try to go all organic - but I still wash and spin dry them all first, lol...really not into a bug diet...blech! And, I know there are some horticultural oils you can use on veggies etc right up until harvest. Just be sure to rinse everything really well regardless. I always used a product like that FIT Veggie wash for store produce etc. I try to avoid as many "chemicals" etc as I can (hence the All Natural Peanut butter I use that the sugar-freaks in my household can't stand, lol...keeps them out of my stuff though...LMAO!)

Hugs!!

[creatingkarma]

I don't know much about growing herbs, Katrina. I wish I could help you out with a little advice. I did grow some chamomille once one summer, though. If I'm right, I think they come in annual & perennial types. I don't think they survive well during the winter or indoors.

Tracy, I love organic peanut butter! They have a machine at my local health food store where you press a button & it makes it right there in front of you. It tastes soooooo gooooood! Like real peanuts - imagine that! Nobody else in my family eats it. They all want the brand name pb. I just don't understand that.

[Katrina]

THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!

Since I am on a roll with asking questions how often...if ever do you think a grow light should be turned off and for how long?

I have been getting new buds and new flowers with my chamomile plant...leaves are doing well though but the flowers are the part I need for that one. I guess since I have been getting new flowers I have been hopeful that it would be willing to live in doors for me :) I mean they were doing better late into Fall outdoors that the catnip so I am hoping. Since this is an area new to me...and not exactly something anyone I know can help me with I am having learn on my own...(books, online, you guys :) )

[ICNDonna]

Most plants will do well indoors if conditions are right. We used to have greenhouses and sold plants to area nurseries. We closed down one year after we made the decision that we'd rather go fishing :). Some plants do need a lot of light. Some growers feel that the grow lights should be used to mimic daylight hours and turned off at night --- others will leave them on all the time.

Donna

[traceann]

I hear you! I love the peanut butter (I get the Smuckers All-Natural), but the others want the sweetened stuff. I do have to agree and say that on celery, I have to choose the sweetend stuff too, lol!!!

When I do my seed-starting, I have my grow lights on timers and set to be on about 16 hours and off for 8. I read somewhere (and like Donna said I think everyone does it differently) that they need "sleep" or it stresses them out, lol. Ok, I decided I was stressed enough, didn't need to have stressed out plants too, LOL!!!!

Hugs!

[tigger_gal]

hope you have this all figured out.. I keep my plants sitting on the kitchen window seat in front of the window... I water them once a week...

[Katrina]

Lol Tracy...don't want to stress my plants...they have enough problems it seems. Unfortunatly the catnip doesn't do well in the kitchen at our house...the cats seem to think it is a good excuse to break the rules...so it is now in the spare bedroom where we can have the door closed. :) I will see If I know how to use our timer lol. I asked for a book to teach me what to do growing herbs for my Birthday. (I am going to get older soon). We will see if as I get older I get smarter too lol.

Donna, how do I know if what I have is aphids?

:)

[traceann]

Of course you'll get smarter!! :)

[ICNDonna]

There's a pretty good picture at http://www.earthlife.net/insects/aphids.html

Donna