So why do we use common ice melter on our plants?  Diseases such as powdery mildew and a gray mold called botrytis can wreak havoc on plants, especially in the greenhouse.  This disease is common in greenhouses as crowded plants are grown in an environment with higher humidity.  Here at  Dayton’s we have implemented a natural control for greenhouse disease.

And, believe it or not, we use something as simple as the ice melter you purchase for your walkways and driveway in the winter.

Dowflake calcium chloride (or Tetraflake) is OMRI listed which means it is an organic product.  Luckily this product is also easy for the homeowner to use to control the same diseases on susceptible home crops such as squash, cucumbers, other veggies, herbs, certain flowers and others.  Plus, it is rather inexpensive and a sprayer full of the product will last a long time as it doesn’t degrade easily, allowing you to keep the same sprayer full of product all season long or until it runs out.