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Pico Ag FAQ - Agriculture
Q: What type of concentrate will I be ordering? A: You will be shipped a 100%, non-diluted, pure concentrate based on the company's AG 500-1 formula.
Q: How much should I dilute the concentrate? A: The normal dilution for agricultural purposes is 1:500, or one part concentrate to 500 parts water.
Q: How often should I spray? A: The company strongly suggests spraying all trees, crops, ornamentals, etc. once per month or as need. It is also suggested after a heavy rain as high humidity encourages fungus growth. Best to call the factory 800 995-9203
Q: What type of sprayer and nozzle should I use? A: It really doesn't matter. What is important is that the plants be drenched to the point of run-off. As many insects hide on the underside of the leaf, it's necessary for the spray to reach all parts of the plant in order for it to have maximum effectiveness.
Q: About how much spray is required to cover an acre or hectare? A: As a rule of thumb, 400 liters should be sufficient to drench one acre; or 1000 liters for each hectare. It takes less than one liter of concentrate to produce 400 liters of spray.
Q: Are there any variations to this rule? A: Yes. If you are spraying newly planted crops, we recommend you start your spraying scheduled at 100 liters per acre, or 250 liters per hectare, gradually increasing the amount as the plants continue to grow. By the time they have reached full maturity, you should be spraying at the suggested rate of 400 liters per acre, as described above.
Q: At what dilution rate and how often should I spray? If you spray annual crops when first planted, you can safely use a rate of 1000:1. Some growers spray every 7 to 10 days; others have found that once a month is all that is needed. It will depend upon the type of crop and climatic conditions. A short period of experimentation is all that will be needed for your decisions.
Q: Is there a difference if my crops are perennials? A: It all depends. Probably not on deciduous trees and plants. If the perennial is older, with a history of pest or disease problems, we recommend a rate of 500:1. It may even take a more frequent spraying schedule before the perennial is healthy and strong agin.
Q: Are there any special considerations for use in a greenhouse or on newly planted seedlings? A: Yes. You can stimulate germination and eliminate damping off with an initial spray dilution of 1000:1. Greenhouses that reported a 30% to 85% loss of new plantings due to damping off, report they now have 100% totally productive planting trays. Some nurseries briefly wash new seeds in the solution before planting. This can be maintained until the plants are moved outside.
Q: Can cleaning with Pico Ag help with fungal and bacterial infestations? A. Results from the field have been positive. Spraying may have to be as frequent as every four days for a month or so, before the plant regains its strength and is able to shake the disease. Also, insects and other pests prefer attacking sickly growth and will normally not be attracted to a strong, healthy plant or tree.
Q: Can I replace the chemicals I'm now using? A: Pico Ag is a Plant Tonic, not a pesticide or fungicide. However, when applied early in the growing season, growers report a greatly diminished, if not total absence of usual diseases. If applied in mid-season, it will help the plant recover its vitality, but the degree of success will vary, and you will have to make the decision based upon what problems you are facing.
Q: What if I feel comfortable using certain conventional chemicals and don't want to drop them completely. Can Pico Ag be used in conjunction with these pesticides, fungicides, etc.? A: Yes. There is no problem in mixing your current chemicals with Biobased AG. Some growers do this as a means of cutting costs. Very often, this will result in far superior performance than just your present chemicals used alone. Mixing it with chemicals does not diminish the inherent cleaning power of Biobased AG. However, first check the laws of your country. Technically, you may not be allowed to mix chemicals unless the label on the bottle permits it.
Q: This brings me to the big question on everyone's mind. How expensive is Pico Ag to use, compared with the current chemicals I now spray my plants and trees with? A: Growers who have kept accurate records tell us that they have reduced their chemicals costs by as much as 50%, or more. But saving money is definitely not the only benefit, as increased production and earlier harvesting are major factors to keep in consideration.
Q: What other benefits should I be aware of? A: Workers no longer have to dress in protective clothing. You don't have to worry about the liability of your spraying drifting into other neighborhoods. No special handling or storage is required. And of great importance, Pico Ag acts as an equipment protectorant, cleaning out old caked on desposites of sludge and other forms of hydrocarbon residues.
Q: Oh, yes. One final question. I've heard rumors or mutterings that crops sprayed with Pico Ag become more prolific and that the individual produce grew larger. Is this an Old Wife's tale or is there any validity to what I'm hearing? A: Recent reports from various growing areas have reported significant increases in overall crop output, as well as individual fruit or vegetable size. A rice harvest completed at the end of 2005 revealed a 25% increase in the harvest for the variety tested. We will be compiling statistics in the months ahead to verify the consistency of these results.
Q: Can I use Pico Ag in my country? A: The laws in each country are different and you may have to get approval for the usage based on the label claims. Pico Ag may be considered a Plant Tonic by some, and as a pesticide or fertilizer by others, with different legal requirements for each.
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