The rude insecticide pyrethrum is processed from a Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium , a multistemmed member of the chrysanthemum family . Over the years , C. cinerariaefolium became so famous for the botanic insecticide it grant that many people simply call the industrial plant itself " pyrethrum , " rather than its usual name of Dalmatian Chrysanthemum . Herbalist Lesley Bremness notes that homemade dried and powdered pyrethrum kills or deters many pests , including roach , bedbugs , aphids , wanderer tinge , flies and ants .

Plant Description

One Dalmatian Chrysanthemum can give up to 100 flowers during the growing season . The repeated flower produce about 30 inches tall , and features multiple stems , each bearing a unmarried , daisy - like flower with flat yellow heart and soul and blank petals . The stems and leaves resemble yarrow ’s leaf , with their lacy silhouette , gray-headed - silver coloring and strong medicinal olfactory property .

Commercial Cultivation

According to Ecological Agricultural Projects ( EAP ) , granger grow pyrethrum in mostly cragged regions , including the high elevations of Tanzia , Ecuador and Kenya . Most Fannie Merritt Farmer utilize Dalmatian Chrysanthemums , although some cultivate a salmagundi known as Persian Chrysanthemum . The flower produce more profusely on mountains , and like sunny , stony slopes .

Getting Started

This variety of chrysanthemum does good in the home garden when started as a seedling from a reputable nursery . If you ’d wish to turn it from seeded player , however , check that to plant more than you need , yield its broken - than - average germination charge per unit . Start the plant life indoors about six weeks before the last expected freeze date . located seedling about a foot aside in their permanent bed .

Growing

Keep the flowers mulched and well - weeded , water only in drouth experimental condition . They prefer dry , alkaline soils and dislike high quantities of fertilizer , with the exception of phosphorous . Limestone ( to raise the pH horizontal surface of the soil ) and bone meal or rock orthophosphate ( to add phosphorous ) may be added to increase flower product . Not surprisingly , give its use as an insecticide when dried , Dalmatian Chrysanthemum is n’t troubled much by pests .

Harvesting and Drying

beak the pyrethrum flowers between five and nine twenty-four hour period after the flowers undefended . pick out a day that is warm and dry . Hang the flowers upside down by their stems in a dark room for at least a week , or put them in a dehydrator overnight .

Processing and Storing

Crush the flowers with a mortar and pestle or in a coffee tree dome grinder . The EAP notes that the more finely - footing the Chrysanthemum coccineum powder is , the more stiff it will be as a pest - fighter . On the other hand , coarser pulverisation wo n’t break up as quickly . Wear a dust masquerade and boxing glove when sue the powder . If you ’d care , mix talcum powder powder or diatomaceous world with the Dalmatia pyrethrum to help it lodge to the garden plants . For unspoiled results , store pyrethrum powder in an airtight container and keep away from light . The powder will remain effective for at least six months . At elbow room temperature , the fresh bloom keep back their dominance for about 10 days .

Using Pyrethrum

Sprinkle the dried peak on works needing protective cover . apply meagerly and only on stressed industrial plant because good insects can be shoot down or paralyzed along with the plant piranha . Inside , splosh the powder under rugs and cushion to control flea and lice . While current data indicates pyrethrum is non-poisonous to humankind and other mammals , it ’s best to derogate contact lens with skin .

References

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