Ben, what's a good remedy to use on a plant called "Nearly Wild Rose" which is being attacked by Japanese Beetles? I think this all sounds very interesting. I visited your website too. Is there one particular remedy to use or is it best to buy those already premixed remedies? Thanks.

Ben, Hugh Lovel wrote a book by the name of Biodynamic Farm (ISBN 0-911311-45-9). Where he started off with using Stenier's methods, but moved on. At his Union Agricultural Institute up in the Chattagnooga Mountains, Hugh is doing much experimenting with homeopathy on crops, animals, and plants. Take a look at the above mentioned book and if you like, I will forward you his e-address.

Dessie, what do these beetles do to the plant? do they eat it and if so which part? What sort of soil do they grow in and what sort of plant food do they get? Are they in a sunny or shady position? and what about wind? do you live in a cold or warm climate?

If you want to use the remedies for plants, to be truly effective dissolve five drops of the 6x potency in 500 ml. of water and give 50 (yes, fifty) succussions. Anything less will not work, as i have found to my own detriment (lost a very big nursery client because of it, as I forgot to tell them and the remdies did virtually nothing) So what I do now, is to prepare them that way and all people have to do is mix 5 drops of the preparation in 20 litres of water and spray the plant or water it with it.

[This message has been edited by Ben Rozendal (edited 08 August 1999).]

Sal, yes please, forward me his E-mail address, so I can send him a photocopy of my book in exchange for his. So both of us can benefit. I like very much to discover more about this, as we have only just started growing some vegs in the hunter valley here, to experiment on when they grow to sufficient size. Anyhting that increses the understanding is always welcome; thank you all very much.

Hi Ben,

The beetles are eating the leaves, particularly it seems new growth. Our soil is considered by some the best in the U. S., rich black midwest farm soil. I haven't given any plant food. We just planted 3 of these plants this spring but the smallest one in particular seems to be getting hit the hardest. They are in full sun. It's pretty windy here, about 3/4ths of the time we have wind but our house does offer some protection against it. We have very cold winters. This summer we've had some higher than usual temperatures and quite a lack of rain.

Give the smallest plant a dose of Silica in the 6x, as described in my other post. The others may be treated with Sambucus nigra, same process. The reason I prescribe 2 different remedies is that the smallest plant appears like retarded, a typical Silica phenomenon. Sambucus is a general remedy, which keeps many insects away, besides caterpillars, for which it mainly used. Please let me know the results. Read up on both remedies at my website, under the pest section. Tell me what you think.

Hi Ben,

I read up on these remedies on your site and yes I am going to do this. I don't have the potencies for these remedies and must order. How many pellets or pills would I use instead of drops or does it have to be liquid remedies? Also excuse my ignorance but I've never done succussions before so... do I put the remedies in all the water at once and then shake 50 times. This is a vigorous shaking am I correct? I will be away on vacation for awhile so I'll let you know what happens sometime after I return. I doubt if the remedies will get here before I leave. Thanks much, Ben.

It is best to use liquid remedies, as then there is no difficulties with solution. Succussion means that you put in the required drops, in the prescribed amount of water, and pound the bottle on a thick book, like a dictionary. Do not mix the remedies, as we do not know all the antidotal relationships yet, and we are no mixopaths.
GFor instance I have noticed that in plants Silica antidotes Helix and vice versa.

Thank you Ben. I wasn't going to mix the remedies but I can see from rereading my post where you may have thought i was planning too. I appreciate your explanation on succussions too and your patience!!! Will let you know what happens. Dessie

Ben, I've run into a snag. I've checked four different suppliers here in the states and they all tell me the lowest I can go in liquid silicea is 8x potency. Should I use that?