Coffee grinds

[palmmermaid]

Coffee grounds are great for roses (Wal, I think your wife likes roses).  Usually Starbucks puts them in used coffee bags and gives them to you.  If you get friendly with the barristas, they will bag them up for you.  I use the brown untreated filters and throw them on the pile as well.

[amazondk]

(Steve from San Diego @ Feb. 24 2008,10:56)

QUOTE

I was reading Don's post about coffee grinds killing mosquitoes and I was wondering how this would work on killing mosquitoe larvae in the cups of bromeliads. Most of my bromeliads usually have larvae in them so this would be great if it would work. Does anyboby know if it would have a negative effect on the broms?

thanks,

Steve

Steve,

I am curious about the same thing.  Since bromeliads in habitat collect a lot of organic matter I don't see why coffee would hurt them.  I think I will try on one to see.

dk

[Alicehunter2000]

Supposed to be great for blueberries as well, increasing the yield significantly. I will start adding it to my palms as well. Got to check out Starbucks for their grinds.

Dick....dog poo is not good for fertilizer.

Has anyone checked to see if coffee grinds detere fireants?

[George Sparkman]

Has anyone checked to see if coffee grinds detere fireants?

I don't know about fireants,but argentine ants (most common species in California) go right thru the stuff and don't even slow down.

George Sparkman

Cycads-n-Palms.com

[Mike4284m]

(amazondk @ Feb. 24 2008,20:13)

QUOTE

(Steve from San Diego @ Feb. 24 2008,10:56)

QUOTE

I was reading Don's post about coffee grinds killing mosquitoes and I was wondering how this would work on killing mosquitoe larvae in the cups of bromeliads. Most of my bromeliads usually have larvae in them so this would be great if it would work. Does anyboby know if it would have a negative effect on the broms?

thanks,

Steve

Steve,

I am curious about the same thing.  Since bromeliads in habitat collect a lot of organic matter I don't see why coffee would hurt them.  I think I will try on one to see.

dk

It does work against mosquitoes in the cups and as an added bonus will also control slugs and snails.  No harm done to the plant.

Now the real question: Regular or Decaf

[LJG]

(George Sparkman @ Feb. 24 2008,20:36)

QUOTE

Has anyone checked to see if coffee grinds detere fireants?

I don't know about fireants,but argentine ants (most common species in California) go right thru the stuff and don't even slow down.

George Sparkman

Cycads-n-Palms.com

I can't think of anything that stops them. I have used a lot of stuff from stores. Surrounded tress with "ant repellent" and still see them somehow clear a path and get to where they are needed. These damn ants are wiping out all the native ants. Remember when you could find large Harvester ants or red ants everywhere? It is not a common site anymore. I think these ants will ensure fireants do not take hold in CA.

[feef706]

So how do you go about asking someone at starbucks for the used coffee grounds without looking like an idiot? ive never even been in one of those places and i dont drink coffee so im not too sure about how to ask..

[George Sparkman]

I can't think of anything that stops them. I have used a lot of stuff from stores. Surrounded tress with "ant repellent" and still see them somehow clear a path and get to where they are needed.

Hi Len,

Termidor works very well.We have tried all kinds of stuff and could not get rid of them.Termidor is one of those take it home and kill the family deals.It has a greater delay than other products and therefore has a larger kill ratio.We had ant-problems in the tree aloes ,after using Termidor they have been gone for more than 6 months.

Termidor used at correct doses has no phototoxicity that I have noticed.I am not sure about local availability and if you would need an applicator license,but it is available on Ebay.

George Sparkman

Cycads-n-Palms.com

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

(feef706 @ Feb. 25 2008,10:45)

QUOTE

So how do you go about asking someone at starbucks for the used coffee grounds without looking like an idiot? ive never even been in one of those places and i dont drink coffee so im not too sure about how to ask..

At most Starbuck's you don't even need to ask.  They have a basket out front by the counter with bags full of used coffee grounds.  Just pick one up and walk out.

If they don't have them visible, just ask  for the used coffee grounds.  They are happy to get rid of them.  I used to stop and pick up bags all the time in Tampa.

[TikiRick]

Dunkin Donuts sells a whole lot of coffee as well. They would be happy to get rid of the grinds as well.

What a great compost without even composting!

[tropicalb]

Spoke with Jeff from Trabuco Canyon about the coffee grinds thing....his advice was:

after you brew your morning coffee, fill the coffeemaker back up and brew another pot using the same grinds, then take that pot of "weak coffee" and pour it into your hudson sprayer. I did this for the last few days and ended up with about a gallon of "coffee spray", and sprayed all my plants with this concoction this morning.

We shall see how well it works, as i did have more than a few Lepidozamia peroffskyanas that had scale, as well as some of my Zamia muricatas in my greenhouse.

I'll update in a coupla weeks and let you know what transpires.

[LJG]

(George Sparkman @ Feb. 25 2008,09:36)

QUOTE

I can't think of anything that stops them. I have used a lot of stuff from stores. Surrounded tress with "ant repellent" and still see them somehow clear a path and get to where they are needed.

Hi Len,

Termidor works very well.We have tried all kinds of stuff and could not get rid of them.Termidor is one of those take it home and kill the family deals.It has a greater delay than other products and therefore has a larger kill ratio.We had ant-problems in the tree aloes ,after using Termidor they have been gone for more than 6 months.

Termidor used at correct doses has no phototoxicity that I have noticed.I am not sure about local availability and if you would need an applicator license,but it is available on Ebay.

George Sparkman

Cycads-n-Palms.com

Thanks George. eBay it is.

I find it weird that others have not posted about issues with these ants. I figured I was being a baby about it. I have noticed almost every bad pest I get in my palms, cycads, tropicals or succulents is from those ants. I look forward to hitting a few of about 100 nest in my yard to try out Termidor.

[BS Man about Palms]

(feef706 @ Feb. 25 2008,08:45)

QUOTE

So how do you go about asking someone at starbucks for the used coffee grounds without looking like an idiot? ive never even been in one of those places and i dont drink coffee so im not too sure about how to ask..

James-

I was in the same boat as you, it had been "delivered" in the past.  Tonite I stopped at a local one, stood in line for few seconds, started looking around and saw a bucket with "grounds for your garden" by a door.  I read just enough to see the word "free".  I took one and walked out, no one came screaming behind me!  

[SunnyFl]

I can't imagine Starbucks objecting to a request for the grounds.  They're very into the green thing - and this is.

I felt kind of funny, though, at Circle K the first time I emptied the grounds out of the coffeemaker.  But the people at the register were fine with it - and a customer started talking about stuff he used on his plants (eggshells and something else).

[feef706]

Wow so even starbucks knows that grounds are good for plants? I had never heard of this until this thread.. I cant wait to try it though..

[TikiRick]

Here is a great concoction that my father uses on all of his garden all summer long in Kentucky:

1/4 Karo syrup

2 aspirin dissolved

1/4 beer

1/4 coffee

1/4 water

Put it into a hose end sprayer and everything green loves it! It does work!

[PalmGuyWC]

Gosh Rick, add ice and a few shots of Vodka and you could drink it!

Dick

[PalmatierMeg]

If you are a tea drinker, tea leaves also nourish plants. I used to dry my used teabags, tear them open & dump tea onto my Oxalis (shamrock) plant. The thing grew & bloomed like mad. Should work on palms etc. too. I'm going to collect coffee grounds for my garden.

[palman]

Can it keep cats out of potted house plants?

[nomolos]

I once saw this info on the garden web forum a few years back, they also had a lot of posts about home grown garden secrets like this. I'll see if I can find the link.

[nomolos]

garden web

garden web 2

garden web

[Mats]

no message

[DippyD]

i heard the opposite of all these responces. ive been putting coffee grounds on my palms and i have increased mealybugs, aphids, spydermyte. i think you guys all suck! oh and the worst expresso eats the roots away!

[BS Man about Palms]

(Palmfreek @ Feb. 26 2008,21:39)

QUOTE

i heard the opposite of all these responces. ive been putting coffee grounds on my palms and i have increased mealybugs, aphids, spydermyte. i think you guys all suck! oh and the worst expresso eats the roots away!

Not sure I follow, is this an attempt at humour?  ???

[sonoranfans]

(GREENHAND @ Feb. 22 2008,16:05)

QUOTE

Hmmm i could sneak behind starbucks and look in the dumster for old grounds.  

Or you could just ask them, they give the bags away.  Have done that for years with my roses. I use surfur on my palms, more potent for my super alkaline soils.

[DippyD]

humor...whats that... i know what bs is and your the man of it right?...ta ta today jr.

[BS Man about Palms]

(Palmfreek @ Feb. 27 2008,16:29)

QUOTE

humor...whats that... i know what bs is and your the man of it right?...ta ta today jr.

Yep, BS would be my initials, and I'm all me.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

i heard the opposite of all these responces. ive been putting coffee grounds on my palms and i have increased mealybugs, aphids, spydermyte. i think you guys all suck! oh and the worst expresso eats the roots away!

Is this a Stumpy alert?

I have used the grounds from a local Starbucks a couple of years ago, but not since.  It was a pain in the drain because they didn't have it packed up neatly in free bags by the door.  They had it in garbage bags that threatened to rip and spill if you picked it up wrong.  On top of that, the grounds were full of filters, napkins, stir sticks and other junk.  Maybe I should go back and see if they are more enlightened now.  The plant I put it on is a Miracle Fruit plant, the results were good as these need acid soil and it seemed to work very well.

Jeremiah

[SunnyFl]

(Jerry@TreeZoo @ Feb. 27 2008,23:45)

QUOTE

I have used the grounds from a local Starbucks a couple of years ago, but not since.  It was a pain in the drain because they didn't have it packed up neatly in free bags by the door.  They had it in garbage bags that threatened to rip and spill if you picked it up wrong.  On top of that, the grounds were full of filters, napkins, stir sticks and other junk.

Or you could try getting the grounds from a local convenience store that uses drip coffee-makers.  With the store's permission (and they probably wouldn't mind), you could empty the coffee things (where the coffee in the filters is) directly into a plastic bag.  That's what we did.  No muss, no fuss.  And free!  

Regarding the suggestion about the aspirin/ Karo/ beer/ coffee mix - I'd like to try that on my plants.  But without the karo - I bet that'd attract ants like crazy (palmettos too, ew).  

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Regarding the suggestion about the aspirin/ Karo/ beer/ coffee mix - I'd like to try that on my plants.  But without the karo - I bet that'd attract ants like crazy (palmettos too, ew).  

Aspirin is an acidifying agent I believe.

Karo is pure sugar-sugar being real plant food.

Beer has micro nutrients and yeast, good for soil biology.

Coffee is acidifying and all the other good stuff mentioned here.

All in all, it should be a good tonic.  Probably straight out of Jerry Baker's handbook.

Jerry

[palmazon]

Tom Broome (cycadjungle, former Cycad Society president) gave a presentation regarding the use of coffee as a pesticide at the Huntington last June; here's his article linked from the Cycad Society site.

[sonoranfans]

(Jerry@TreeZoo @ Feb. 28 2008,00:51)

QUOTE

Regarding the suggestion about the aspirin/ Karo/ beer/ coffee mix - I'd like to try that on my plants.  But without the karo - I bet that'd attract ants like crazy (palmettos too, ew).  

Aspirin is an acidifying agent I believe.

Karo is pure sugar-sugar being real plant food.

Beer has micro nutrients and yeast, good for soil biology.

Coffee is acidifying and all the other good stuff mentioned here.

All in all, it should be a good tonic.  Probably straight out of Jerry Baker's handbook.

Jerry

When you consider acidfiers, their capacity should be understood.  In other words, is it a strong or weak acid ?  Aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, is a weak acid and not very cheap per pound, so it will not be an effective or efficient acidifier, the "snake oil" of acidifiers.  Coffee grinds are also weak acids, not as weak, but super cheap(no cost) used, plus they have degradable bio material and present the opportunity to recycle(nice).  Sulfur must degrade in the presence of microbes, so its timed release, but it forms a very strong acid (sulfuric acid), very efficient for altering high pH soils.  If your soils are highly alkaline, nothing beats sulfur for low risk burn and efficient pH adjustment.  Coffee is very attractive for the stated reasons and plenty acidic for most soils.  I use coffee and sulfur on my roses and the blooms are prolific in my pH ~9+ soils.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Tom

You are right about the aspirin being weak as a soil additive.  It probably is more effective as a one time shot as described, especially aiding in soluble uptake.  i have heard of putting aspirin in water for your cut flowers.  Apart from acidifying, it may have other benefits, but I have no clue as to what they are and what exactly Rick's dad rationale was.  

Rick? What say you?

Geronimous

[_Keith]

Here is a little interesting readiing on aspirin for plants.  It does appear there is something here, with some real science behind it, and it has been known for nearly 20 years, maybe more.

http://www.newscientist.com/article....w-.html

http://www.plantea.com/plant-aspirin.htm

http://www.innovations-report.com/html....02.html

[sonoranfans]

(keiththibodeaux @ Feb. 28 2008,16:16)

QUOTE

Here is a little interesting readiing on aspirin for plants.  It does appear there is something here, with some real science behind it, and it has been known for nearly 20 years, maybe more.

http://www.newscientist.com/article....w-.html

http://www.plantea.com/plant-aspirin.htm

http://www.innovations-report.com/html....02.html

I would put it to the same kind of test as say superthrive.  In other words a double blind test, treated and not for comparison.  This remedy for sicknesses may be effective in boosting the immune systems, but I wonder why after 20 years, why there are no legit experiments, just subjective befores and afters.

As a scientist I am a skeptic, its part of the job.  My original thought was that aspirin wasnt of much use as a soil acidifier, I dont really know about an immune system booster, perhaps it is.  Being from arizona, bugs arent much of a problem here, a little insecticidal soap kills em fast.  I have never had a bug or fungus on a palm before, and I have many dozens in the ground and in my shadehouse, I'll claim ignorance there.  My bug problems have been confined to spider mites and aphids on my roses.  Bugs dont do well out here, all the low humidity kills them fast.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

(Jerry@TreeZoo @ Feb. 27 2008,22:45)

QUOTE

I have used the grounds from a local Starbucks a couple of years ago, but not since.  It was a pain in the drain because they didn't have it packed up neatly in free bags by the door.  They had it in garbage bags that threatened to rip and spill if you picked it up wrong.  On top of that, the grounds were full of filters, napkins, stir sticks and other junk.  Maybe I should go back and see if they are more enlightened now.  The plant I put it on is a Miracle Fruit plant, the results were good as these need acid soil and it seemed to work very well.

Jeremiah

Jerry, they use nice thick foil bags now for their old grounds (at least in Tampa they do).  These bags were full of coffee grounds only, I never saw any trash mixed in.  You may want to stop by and check them out again.

[_Keith]

(sonoranfans @ Feb. 28 2008,16:32)

QUOTE

(keiththibodeaux @ Feb. 28 2008,16:16)

QUOTE

Here is a little interesting readiing on aspirin for plants.  It does appear there is something here, with some real science behind it, and it has been known for nearly 20 years, maybe more.

http://www.newscientist.com/article....w-.html

http://www.plantea.com/plant-aspirin.htm

http://www.innovations-report.com/html....02.html

I would put it to the same kind of test as say superthrive.  In other words a double blind test, treated and not for comparison.  This remedy for sicknesses may be effective in boosting the immune systems, but I wonder why after 20 years, why there are no legit experiments, just subjective befores and afters.

As a scientist I am a skeptic, its part of the job.  My original thought was that aspirin wasnt of much use as a soil acidifier, I dont really know about an immune system booster, perhaps it is.  Being from arizona, bugs arent much of a problem here, a little insecticidal soap kills em fast.  I have never had a bug or fungus on a palm before, and I have many dozens in the ground and in my shadehouse, I'll claim ignorance there.  My bug problems have been confined to spider mites and aphids on my roses.  Bugs dont do well out here, all the low humidity kills them fast.

I too am a skeptic, but also willing to try nearly anything once.  The cost and ease of aspirin certainly won't impact the budget so why not.

As for bugs, consider yourself fortunate.  Here in Louisiana when the summer rains start, the whole earth seems to move, aka bugs.  

And weed growth is measured in inches per day.

But hey, it's home and I love it.

[sonoranfans]

(keiththibodeaux @ Feb. 28 2008,19:33)

QUOTE

(sonoranfans @ Feb. 28 2008,16:32)

QUOTE

(keiththibodeaux @ Feb. 28 2008,16:16)

QUOTE

Here is a little interesting readiing on aspirin for plants.  It does appear there is something here, with some real science behind it, and it has been known for nearly 20 years, maybe more.

http://www.newscientist.com/article....w-.html

http://www.plantea.com/plant-aspirin.htm

http://www.innovations-report.com/html....02.html

I would put it to the same kind of test as say superthrive.  In other words a double blind test, treated and not for comparison.  This remedy for sicknesses may be effective in boosting the immune systems, but I wonder why after 20 years, why there are no legit experiments, just subjective befores and afters.

As a scientist I am a skeptic, its part of the job.  My original thought was that aspirin wasnt of much use as a soil acidifier, I dont really know about an immune system booster, perhaps it is.  Being from arizona, bugs arent much of a problem here, a little insecticidal soap kills em fast.  I have never had a bug or fungus on a palm before, and I have many dozens in the ground and in my shadehouse, I'll claim ignorance there.  My bug problems have been confined to spider mites and aphids on my roses.  Bugs dont do well out here, all the low humidity kills them fast.

I too am a skeptic, but also willing to try nearly anything once.  The cost and ease of aspirin certainly won't impact the budget so why not.

As for bugs, consider yourself fortunate.  Here in Louisiana when the summer rains start, the whole earth seems to move, aka bugs.  

And weed growth is measured in inches per day.

But hey, it's home and I love it.

Having moved from a mosquito ridden part of massacheusetts, I noticed right away the lack of bugs eating at me every sunset.  The dry hot here isnt hard to take most of the time, but growing palms is a different kind of challenge, stopping dessication isnt that easy.  The side benefit is lack of bugs that eat them, but the sun can kill them just as fast I'll bet.  I'd have an easier time in a smaller lot(less sun exposure) in phoenix(warmer in winter), but I didnt move here to grow palms, so I didnt consider it.  If I was living in La, I'd be growing one of those giant livistonia chinesis Kathryn posted and buying a case of OFF a summer.  Still, sounds like you have a nice place to populate with palms Keith, I think I could enjoy that.

[Kai]

(palman @ Feb. 27 2008,02:51)

QUOTE

Can it keep cats out of potted house plants?

Yes, that's what I allways used the coffee for, to keep my cats from pissing in the pots (that will kill your palm for sure). With the coffeegrounds they stay out of the pots and even keep their distance. They hate the stuff. It's very nice to see it's actually good for the palms too! I'll be using it more from now on.

[BS Man about Palms]

I don't drink coffee and I did my little greenhouse palms a couple days ago. It was weird to go in there yesterday and have it smell like Starbucks!!