Homeopathy for plants too!

Eleven years ago, a German naturopath who is passionate about gardening, came up with the idea to give arnica (homeopathic remedy for bruises) when repotting an injured delphinium plant. She diluted the granules in the irrigation water and the plant quickly regained its flowering.

Christiane Maute retried this hit with a blackcurrant, half torn during a storm and after seeing its unexpected resurrection, she repeated the experience noting the results on a daily basis. To find the right remedy, she relied on close observation of symptoms.

A lantana covered with mites that look like tiny lice? Maute tried the traditionally given homeopathic remedy for lice … and it worked!  She fumbles to find the right dilutions (often high, according to the German homeopathic practices). She tests the concentrations (usually 4 granules crushed in one litre of water for houseplants), optimal irrigation rates and ways to boost the plant growth. Granules have even been developed to keep the snails; Helix Tosta  is a preparation based on shells’ extracts.

Christiane Maute has recorded all her discoveries in Homeopathy for Plants (USD34 on www.narayana-publiehers.com) which is already a bestseller in Germany.

Martine Azoulai