Skram Plant Wash

Formulated by the same people who brought us Flying Skull Nuke Em, Skram is a superb plant wash which can be used as both preventive measures as well as treatment for various pest problems.

It is made entirely from non-toxic bio-degradable ingredients and works as a fantastic contact spray for nearly all pest issues.

Being a contact spray and containing no pesticides means that bugs cannot form any resistance to the solution over a period of time making it always effective. It will also help remove unwanted dirt and contaminants from plants such as mould and mildews.

Skram can be used in a variety of ways depending on the issue at hand Always ensure the entire plant is covered and spray in low/no light conditions to avoid burning the leaves.

General Preventive Measures: Spray once per week at the standard strength dilution. 

Normal Cleanse: For low-medium level pest/disease infestations spray every 3 days at normal or extra strength dilution for around a 7-10 day period. 

Extreme Cleanse: For heavy infestations spray once per days for 3 days then once every 3 days for a 7-10 day period. Use normal or extra strength dilution as required.

SKRAM PLANT WASH FAQS

Question: Will SKRAMremove insects right away?
Answer: It will depend on the insect. Studies have shown removal percentages following first application given insect to be:
Whitefly 100% removed
Aphids 98% removed
Russet mites 98% removed
Thrips 90% removed
Spider mites 89% removed
Adolescent mites (Broad, Russet, Spider, Etc.) and most adult pests will be washed away quickly. However, insects that have not been coated properly with SKRAMmay live up to 24 hours before falling off the plant. Aphids never seem to move once they have been in contact with SKRAM. This may appear like they are still attached, but upon closer inspection, they can be brushed from the leaf. Mealybugs are very hard to remove, but SKRAM removes them quickly once it has penetrated their webbing.

Question: How do I use SKRAM with predatory insects?
Answer: SKRAM is a great choice to use as a treatment for infestations before releasing predatory mites, aphids, etc. You want to wash away the pests and their young, before releasing the predatory insects. This method will cost you less money in the long run and give you a better chance of a successful predatory insect population. Once SKRAM has dried it will not harm the predatory insects. Always apply SKRAM and wait for it to dry before releasing predatory insects. It’s also a good idea to make sure most of the adult pests, their larvae and eggs are removed, before releasing predatory insects.

We recommend using SKRAM at standard strength once every 7-10 days between the release of predatory insects. Discontinue the use of SKRAMonce you have released the predatory insects. Predatory insects are great for protecting gardens if predatory numbers are high in number, however, the cost of introducing enough predatory insects to stop an infestation before the plants are beyond help ends up being quite expensive. Spray the plants with SKRAM, release the predatory insects after 80-100% of the pests are dead

Question: What are the benefits of using SKRAM?
Answer: Fits well with IPM, ICM and biological control programmes.
Provides fast and long-acting control of pest populations when applied as per instructions.
Controls strains of insects and mites resistant to other active substances and has no cross-resistance with insecticides or acaricides.
Has no residual activity, is safe for use on all edible crops and ornamental plants and degrades rapidly in the environment.
It has minimal impact on bees, pollinators, beneficial arthropods and biological control programmes.
Assists in the removal of biofilms and general cleaning.
Improved harvested crop shelf life.
Effective at disrupting zoospore plasma membranes, thus preventing the ability of the spores to move in nutrient streams and infect plants.

Question: Can SKRAM repel insects in soil?
Answer: Yes.
Dosage: Add 1ml (approximately ¼ teaspoon) of SKRAMto 45 litres of water. For best results, make continuous applications using the plant watering system.
Tips: For Outdoor Gardens: Add 1ml (approximately ¼ teaspoon) of SKRAMto every 45 litres of water and continuously apply the treated water to the entire garden’s soil or concentrate the application to the plant’s root zone. Higher doses may be done to the crop if prior small batch testing for efficacy justifies it.
For Potted Plants Soil or Hydroponics: Add 1ml (approximately ¼ teaspoon) SKRAMto every 45 litres of water. Continuously water or feed the plants with the dosage suggested. Use enough to flood the soil/hydroponic growing media with good run-off. Higher doses may be used on the crop if prior small batch testing for efficacy justifies it.
For Hydroponic Cloning Machines, Hydroponic Systems to eliminate slime/biofilm in equipment, pipes, sprayers, pumps, tubes, and on roots: Add 1ml (approximately ¼ teaspoon) SKRAM to every 45 litres of water. Continuously water or feed the plants. Use enough to flood the soil/hydroponic growing media with good run-off. Higher doses may be used on the crop if prior small batch testing for efficacy justifies it.  

Question: Can I use SKRAM in my hydroponic system to keep it free of pests and slime?
Answer: Yes!  
SKRAM will keep roots, pipes, tubes, drippers, sprayers, and tanks free of biofilm. SKRAM keeps your system running clean without the use of chlorine or system cleansers. This makes SKRAM even more affordable. It is like having four products and only paying for one! One product for leaf insects, one for leaf powdery mildew, one for soil insects, and one for soil and hydroponics biofilms.
Dosage: We suggest that you start with 1ml (approximately ¼ teaspoon) SKRAM per 45 litres of water or 5ml (approximately 1 teaspoon) SKRAM per 227 litres of water and see how well the equipment and roots are being kept clean. This dosage is suggested as a good place to start. Hydroponic systems that have small tubes and orifices will need to be cleaned out gradually otherwise plugging may occur. This product has been formulated to be concentrated and economical. Increase the dose if you feel it is a benefit to the plant growth, stemming from a lack of biofilm. This dosage will repel insects and will help keep colonization of the growth from occurring.

Question: Can you use SKRAM in soil and hydroponics?  
Answer: Yes.
Tip: SKRAM can replace four individual products resulting in a lower cost to the farm/greenhouse. SKRAM , besides being an excellent leaf cleanser, it can be applied to the water when watering. By continuously using SKRAM at super low doses during watering, the continuous applications repel insects in the growing medium while at the same time greatly reducing or eliminating biofilm on the roots. Biofilm is one of the biggest problems facing organic and non-organic growers. Biofilm, as it forms on roots, restricts nutrients, water, and oxygen from entering the roots. The reduction of oxygen from the biofilm promotes the die-off of smaller roots which in turn attracts contaminants to the decaying matter. The continuous low-dose application of SKRAM makes the growing medium less desirable for contaminate colonization while at the same time helping plants achieve true genetic potential.
Note: While a well-developed root system is generally recognised as a good thing, the biofilm will cause the plant root system to be larger than needed, robbing energy from buds and blooms to regenerate unhealthy roots.

Question: Can SKRAM remove biofilms in soil?
Answer: Yes.
Dosage: Use 15ml of SKRAM for every 1 litre of water.
Apply SKRAM to saturate the soil in such a manner that it gets into the root ball below the stem along with the rest of the soil/growing media.
Rinse with water after 10 minutes. This may take more than one application to fully control the infestation.

Question: Does SKRAM have a bad odour?
Answer: No. You may notice a barely perceptible odour of soap when washing the plant, but there will be no odour when the plant wash has dried.

Question: Are there any harmful ingredients in SKRAM?
Answer: All chemical components are safe at the specified concentrations and are biodegradable. Please read label.

Question: I want to use SKRAM in my garden’s soil, but I have no way of mixing it in large quantities. What can I do?
Answer: This will be an estimation since we do not know how much water you will use per plant per watering.
Add 1 teaspoon (5ml’s) SKRAM to 4.5 litres of water and mix. Apply 1ml or 2ml to the surface of the soil around the plant’s root zone using a watering can or a pump-up sprayer. Do this for each plant. Now, water the plants with your garden hose. You can do this as often as you like. Have fun, spray some rows and not others to prove to yourself that it was worth the effort. We think you’re going to be blown away with the results!

Question: Can SKRAM be used in a hydroponic system to remove insects in the growing media?
Answer: Yes.
If possible, isolate one plant and test it before treating the entire crop. This will tell you how sensitive the plant is and whether you should increase the dose or reduce it. Root drenches should be done after the plant’s media has had a clear water flush and the plants are fully hydrated. Root drenches should take place for 10 minutes, then rinse with water.
Dosage: 15ml of SKRAM per 1 litres of water. Second or third applications should only be done if needed.
Note: Some growers have seen the benefit of applying water to the leaves to help keep the plant’s roots from drawing in the SKRAM.

Question: Can you use higher doses of SKRAM than the label recommends?
Answer: We do not recommend using more than 15 to 30 ml per litres of water.
Generally speaking, you will wash away almost all of the insects on the first spray, because SKRAM is the Ultimate Plant Wash. However, it seems that no matter how well you cover the plant with spray, there will be some insects that find a way to hide and not get hit by the application. This is why we recommend treating every three days until you do not see any more insects. Once you get close to a zero population, you can start your IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program, making applications every 7-10 days. An IPM program using SKRAM is very inexpensive in many ways. It is inexpensive to apply and it keeps your produce consistently the same quality, so your market share will not drop. Losing market share, because of a pest attack, is heart breaking.
Some elaborate grow facilities where street clothes are exchanged for sterile work clothes and great care has been taken to seal the enclosed environments can push their IPM applications of SKRAM to every 14 days.
You can make multiple applications on the same day if the infestation calls for it. For example, if the plant is totally covered with Russet mites, you can spray two times on the same day to make sure SKRAM comes into contact with all of the insects, but ensure the plant is well hydrated.

Question: Can I wash the leaves with SKRAM to keep my plants from getting infested?
Answer: Yes.
Rinsing the plants weekly will keep most pests at bay.
Dosage: 15-30ml SKRAM per litre of water. Use the lower dose first, if unsatisfactory, use the higher dose. This should be done regularly.

Question: How do you keep the plants from getting infested with mites?
Answer: Never allow the mites to get to the infestation stage. This means you need to make the plant an undesirable place to live and thrive by continually spraying them with SKRAM . It is very affordable and it should be part of your success story.

Question: Should SKRAM be applied to buds or blooms?
Answer: Yes and No.
SKRAM is very kind to plants. However, no liquid, including water should be sprayed on a bud or bloom unless it is necessary. Just the minerals alone in water can alter the taste, smell, and looks of a bud or bloom. If it is necessary to apply SKRAM because of a pest infestation that could kill all the plants, it would be better to spray the buds than not to spray. SKRAM should be applied to one bud/bloom and then assess for any adverse problems associated with its application. This would include taste, smell, and visual problems before applying to the whole crop. Use the least amount needed to get the job done.

Question: Should I water the plants before using SKRAM?
Answer: Yes and No
If the plants are potted, it is always a good idea to hydrate them before spraying. Dehydrated plants can absorb through the leaf pores (stomata) to hydrate themselves and this is where things can become problematic. Water potted plants and wait for 30-60 minutes for them to fully hydrate before application. Plants can get dehydrated because the fertiliser levels in the soil are too high. High levels of fertiliser keep the roots from bringing in water, but at the same time, the mineral uptake still takes place.

This causes the water to fertiliser ratio to go out of balance within the plant. This can cause leaf curl, tip burns, leaf droop, and pest infestation. Flush the plants growing medium of excess salts before you apply SKRAM . Field grown plants do not need to be watered, but it certainly would not be a problem. Generally speaking, field-grown plants have a root system that reaches a constant source of water that helps them to be fully hydrated. When in doubt, water the plants.

Question: Do I need to adjust the pH of SKRAM after I add 30ml to 1 litre of water?
Answer: No, and maybe.
For insect treatment, we see no reason to raise the pH. For leaf treatments for powdery mildew and mould, adding a pH adjuster formulated with potassium may be beneficial. We say this, because some growers have done this and said it helped. However, some have said it did not. Should you wish to raise the pH of the ready to use spray, try it on one plant first and observe before treating the whole crop.

Question: How did I get powdery mildew and what can I do about it?
Answer: Powdery Mildew, Bud rot, and bacterial contamination happen when growing areas have:
1.    High humidity on plant surfaces: High humidity occurs when your lighting goes OFF and temperatures drop (Dew Point).
2.    Leaves touching: Plants were grown too close together without sufficient air-flow through them to dry the leaves and stems.
3.    Leaf sprays that do not dry completely: Using a leaf spray that does not dry quickly adds humidity and moisture to the leaf surface allowing mildew to thrive.
4.    You must sanitise all spray equipment before and after using them! This sanitisation procedure is an absolute must!
5.    You could be applying powdery mildew to your plants without knowing it. Do not leave leaf spray products in the sprayer. Leaf spray products will lose their ability to control bacteria and fungus over time. Make a batch to spray, spray it and clean the sprayer the same day.

Question: Can I rinse off SKRAM after spraying?
Answer: Yes. You can rinse it off after you have determined the infestation is under control. It is much easier to rinse off than oil based products.

Question: Before spraying my potted plants with SKRAM what do I do?
Answer: Before you apply SKRAM , flush the plant site well with water and wait 30-60 minutes. We recommend flushing until the run-off from the pot has the same electrical conductivity as water.

Question: Should I spray the plants before I bring them inside?
Answer: Yes. Plants should be sprayed with SKRAM before they are brought into any indoor or outdoor setting. If you do not see any pests, we still suggest you quarantine them until you do not detect any pests, or their eggs for 10 days. Spray them with SKRAM every 3 days while they are in quarantine.

Question: Is SKRAM skin safe?
Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is recommending that you cover up with protective clothing and proper equipment such as gloves, eyewear and mask when you spray. As with any product, discontinue using the product if a rash occurs as you may be allergic to one or more of its ingredients. When used as directed, SKRAM is fairly gentle to the skin but should be rinsed off after contact with the skin.

Question: Once I add the SKRAM concentrate to water how long will it remain effective?
Answer: Always use/spray on the same day that you dilute it.

Question: Should I spray when the lights are off or when they are on?
Answer: This issue is debatable. We have seen no harm in spraying when the lights were on, as long as HID lighting is not too close to the plants. Fluorescent and LED lighting can be fairly close to the plants without ill effects. Spray one part of a plant and watch for possible indications of problems, before spraying the entire crop.

Question: What kind of sprayer do you recommend?
Answer: We suggest whole-house paint sprayers with an orifice designed for spraying lacquer paint.

Question: My plants used to grow slowly when I used my old plant wash, but this does not happen with SKRAM. What is the reason for this?
Answer: This is a valid observation. Oil-based plant washes will slow plant growth. This is because oil and water do not mix well. The oil needs to have a heavy-duty detergent or soap added to it so that it will disperse in water. When the combination of oil and detergent/soap is sprayed on the leaves and dries, it can block the stomatal pore on the leaf and inhibit the entry of CO2  into the plant and therefore inhibit downstream plant sugar production by photosynthesis. The residues on the leaf surface can also block light from the chloroplasts. You will be glad to know that SKRAM will not reduce plant growth.