Using some type of washing up liquid as wetting agent?

Maersk

Maersk

Active Member
I recall seeing some people using a small amount of washing up liquid as a wetting agent.
I know this ir the organic section, and most W.U.L are probably not organic, but im wondering does this work, and if so perhaps there is a W.U.L which consists of organic ingredients.

It seem the current wetting agents are quite expensive tbh.
 
RandomHero8913

RandomHero8913

Well-Known Member
Maersk said:
never heard of it, will research it now.

Would be good to hear if anybody using it can comment on how good it is.
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I've used it foliar feeding and it works just fine. If you're going to be using it on the soil check out Yucca Extract, or an even more natural route would be using Soap Nuts or Horse Chestnut powder. These may help you out:

https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/chemicals/show/15951?qlookup=saponin&offset=0&max=20&et=
https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/chemicals/show/15950?qlookup=saponin&offset=0&max=20&et=
 
Maersk

Maersk

Active Member
RandomHero8913 said:
I've used it foliar feeding and it works just fine. If you're going to be using it on the soil check out Yucca Extract, or an even more natural route would be using Soap Nuts or Horse Chestnut powder. These may help you out:

https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/chemicals/show/15951?qlookup=saponin&offset=0&max=20&et=
https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/chemicals/show/15950?qlookup=saponin&offset=0&max=20&et=
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Il take alook at the Soap Nuts and Chesnut powder.

Im already aware of the Yucca Extract, its expensive imo, especially compared to washing up liquid at around $2 a bottle
 
Maersk

Maersk

Active Member
ANC said:
Come on, it's $20. You probably spend that on snacks this week.
A little goes a long way.
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In the UK its alot more, for an 8oz packed it works out to $60.

Thats a massive amount of money when a $2 substitue can be used.

Sad thing is most of these companies can only overprice these items because of what we are using them for.
Remove buds from the scenario, If people were growing Chilli/Blueberries/Tomatoes looking for a wetter, there is no way they would ever pay $60.
 
ANC

ANC

Well-Known Member
They wouldn't go through the effort of wetting for those. They just get a strain adapted to their climate zone.
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
Ivory liquid dishwashing detergent is the old school standby and have been using it since 1972 or so. Dawn will also work. Get the one with the duck on the label (It was used to remove oil from waterfowl caught in an oil spill).

Try for unscented, but certainly no anti bacterial type stuff. Detergent, not soap. Soap is caustic, made with lye. Detergent just breaks the surface tension of water.

Ivory and Dawn both are higher end, but still less than $4 US/bottle. Dr Bonners is next to impossible to find locally and pretty pricey.

You can spend big bucks if you wish, to feel good or name drop esoteric wetting agents, but why? $60 goes beyond silly well into stupid territory for a $3 product.
 
Maersk

Maersk

Active Member
Wetdog said:
Ivory liquid dishwashing detergent is the old school standby and have been using it since 1972 or so. Dawn will also work. Get the one with the duck on the label (It was used to remove oil from waterfowl caught in an oil spill).

Try for unscented, but certainly no anti bacterial type stuff. Detergent, not soap. Soap is caustic, made with lye. Detergent just breaks the surface tension of water.

Ivory and Dawn both are higher end, but still less than $4 US/bottle. Dr Bonners is next to impossible to find locally and pretty pricey.

You can spend big bucks if you wish, to feel good or name drop esoteric wetting agents, but why? $60 goes beyond silly well into stupid territory for a $3 product.
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Thanks for the great post wetdog!

Gona check all of them out!

Exactly my point with the $60 v $3, its just stupidity, imo its sad to even be recommending others to buy a extortionate-priced product.

I would also rather not have a room full of unwanted products, if I switch over my
 
RandomHero8913

RandomHero8913

Well-Known Member
Maersk said:
Thanks for the great post wetdog!

Gona check all of them out!

Exactly my point with the $60 v $3, its just stupidity, imo its sad to even be recommending others to buy a extortionate-priced product.

I would also rather not have a room full of unwanted products, if I switch over my
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Hey Man, ANC was just trying to help you out. The small bag for $20.00 makes 1,000 gallons working out to $.02 per gallon. I don't think either of us were aware of your location and everything that comes with it, duties, customs, etc.
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
No idea with the Dr Bonners as I can't find it locally, but with Dawn or Ivory a few drops in a Qt sprayer, a small squirt for a gallon and a decent squirt in my 2 1/2 gallon watering can.

The watering can is used when making a fresh mix to get the peat moss to absorb water for the first time, thus the decent squirt. I mix up a bit over 2cf (~18 gallons), and it takes right around 7 gallons of the soapy water just to get it moist. Never need to repeat it though, even if the mix dries out later.

The Qt and gallon is just enough to break the surface tension so when spraying the spray doesn't just bead up on leaf surfaces. This is a big problem spraying BT on tomato plants or any sorta glossy leaves.

Really a feel thing. If it beads up you need to add more. Too much foam, dial it back. You'll find the sweet spot for the application and amount of water used.
 
hillbill

hillbill

Well-Known Member
My real interest is in wetting peat moss as I would eliminate any pre mixed media like Promix or Fafard.
 
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