Vitax Plant Guard Concentrate- Is it Effective for your Plants?

Mealybugs can be a serious pest
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Name of Product: Vitax Plant Guard Organic.

The Best Place to Buy: www. amazon.co.uk

Available as a 250ml concentrate or diluted ready for use in a spray bottle of 750ml

My Score: 8/10

In this article, we will be reviewing a newish product that came out last year and this is Vitax Plant Guard Concentrate. We will find out if it is effective in the garden on what it claims to do and what it actually does.

Mealybugs can be a serious pest
Mealybugs can be a serious pest

If you have been hanging around my website for a while you will know that I talk about fungicides and insecticides a lot. I have reviews products such as Fungusclear Ultra, BugClear ultra, Garlic Wonder, SB plant invigorator and neem oil-based products. In this review we will see of Vitax plant guard can be added to the gardener toolbox in their fight against insect invaders and plant fungal diseases.

 WHAT IS VITAX PLANT GUARD CONCENTRATE?

As it is often said the clue is in the name. It is a natural based product that protects your plants from insects that want to feed from your plants and from fungal diseases that attack it. It helps your plants to develop some resistance to these pests and diseases so that if any future attack occurs it will not be as serious. This is, of course, if you keep using the product the way that the manufacturer recommends.

One thing that gardening has taught me is that products like insecticide and fungicides are only effective if you use them regularly and at the right dosage. Infrequent use and at a higher concentration is often recipes for disasters. I thought I would get that warning out of the way very early.


This is an organic product suitable for those who garden in an organic way and with the environment at the forth mind of the product development. A product that does not harm the friendly insects in the garden and does not pollute the Earth.

This is always a big plus in my eyes. It has been developed to protect the plants in your garden from aphids, whitefly, mealy bugs, scale insects, thrips, spider mites and others that decide to visit your garden and stay. You know the kind that will crash a party and then never leave.

IT FORMS A RESIDUAL BARRIER

It works by creating a residual barrier to prevent fungal spores from multiplying and it carefully removes and makes a hostile environment for insects. This is what you want, the whole plant protected from spores, dust and pests laying their eggs on them. This will help to keep your plant leaves healthy and will allow maximum light to aid in photosynthesis.

Thrips can also be dealt with
Thrips can also be dealt with

The only problem is that I could not find out what is the main active ingredient for this concentrate. It is probably plant-based where several plants can offer pest and fungicide protection. No matter what it contains, it will have been vigorously tested to ensure that it is organic, effective in what it does, is safe for children and pets, and does not harm friendly wildlife. If not, I can imagine a lot of lawsuits would be coming their way.

So we know that it:

  • Contains natural ingredients
  • Organic
  • Non-toxic to pets and children.
  •  Will not harm bees and other wildlife including ladybirds.
SEAWEED IS ALSO AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT

One of the other Plant Guard’s natural ingredients is seaweed that has been micronized. If you read my article on manures and other soil conditioners then you will know how effective seaweed is. It will provide the macro and micronutrients that will help the plant to grow healthily.

A product that not only helps to defend your plants from pests and fungal infections; it will help them to grow vigorously as well.

You can buy it as a concentrate or you can but it as a ready to use spray. As it comes in a concentrate, this is more economical as one small bottle can make many sprayer bottles. It is best to follow what is written at the back of the packaging, but normally 15ml will make up a litre of solution. The 250ml that is provided can make up 16 litres of solution, enough for a decent-sized garden for a whole growing season.

 WHERE CAN IT BE USED?

It does not contain nasty chemicals that give you a coughing fit every time you apply it. It can be safely used outdoors or under glass, such as a polytunnel or greenhouse. I always say if you spray a houseplant, it is better to do it outside, so that it can be safely done so, and the problem dealt with.

Powdery mildew can be also dealt with
Powdery mildew can be also dealt with

The product can be used on flowering plants, fruits and vegetable with no adverse effect. When you use it, make sure that you make up the solution to the right concentration. The mixture then should be used in a sprayer bottle and the whole plant sprayed, making sure that you cover the upper and lower leaf surfaces.

As ever do not spray on sunny days as this can lead to droplet forming that can magnify light causing the leaves to be scorched. Also do not apply on a windy day, where the product can go anywhere and to places that you do not want it to go.

USE THE SPRAY FOR 5 TO 7 DAYS AT FIRST

If you see an infestation of insects, you will need to spray it every 5 to 7 days to deal with it. Once the infestation has been dealt with you will need to apply every month to prevent any future infestation.

A product that can be used and sprayed in crops, even those that you harvest on the same day. Not often you will see this, as with other products you often have to spray a week or two before harvesting, this seems to me that they are confident that it will not harm you or your family. A bold claim indeed.

When spraying makes sure that children and pets are kept indoors until it completely dries, then they can be allowed to play in the treated area.

 PROS

  •  Organic.
  •  Environmentally friendly.
  • Contains natural ingredients.
  • Non-toxic can be used on the day of harvest.
  •  Wildlife-friendly, especially for bees and ladybirds.
  •  250ml will make up to 16 litres of usable solution. A little goes a long way.

 CONS

  •  It is claimed to work well for powdery mildew. We, gardeners, know that this is not the only fungal problem that attacks plants, It may not work well with other fungal attacks. You will need to apply and wait and see.
  •  It is not cheap, as there are other insecticides and fungicides that are cheaper.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY VITAX PLANT GUARD?

Through my life as a gardener, I have seen many products come and go, and you get weary when a new product comes along. I have tried it and so have my many gardening friends. Would I recommend it? Yes as it does what it says on the tin.

It is quite an effective insecticide but not quite a good fungicide. It helps with powdery mildew and scabs on apple, other fungal diseases not so much so. I think it is a great addition to the gardener toolbox and if you want to try it, do so here.

If you have any questions that you wish to raise or any comments that you like to make, please do so in the comment box below.

This will be my last article of this year and so I wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. See you next year.

 

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