A Kiwi scientist has invented a unique spray that enhances plant performance but is not a fertiliser.

An experiment on weeds that had astonishing results led Auckland environmental scientist Nathan Balasingham to research and develop a natural spray that mimics Mother Nature to turn plants on.

Nature's Curator believes their certified organic creation could boost New Zealand’s “clean green” image.

Activating plant immunity
In what they say is a world first, Balasingham has created a compound of various natural products that activates plants’ immune systems.

He started with Agrizest for horticulture then, when friends became enthusiastic, developed Nature’s Curator for home gardens. He has now initiated trials on pasture.

He sees a future for his product in helping New Zealand comply with Kyoto Protocols, reducing chemical use, while improving productivity, quality, nutritional value and better managing the emissions trading deficit which threatens our environmental image.

Accidental discovery
Balasingham, a Master of Horticultural Science with first class honours in biochemistry and 36 years in research and development, stumbled on his new mission while researching herbicides. He found some weeds resisted the effects of herbicide even though they absorbed it.

Balasingham went on to research plants’ immunity systems. He was inspired by the World Plant Genome Project’s discovery of how organisms interact with each other and how foreign molecules landing on their surfaces cause internal reactions.

Bio-mimicry
The molecules in Nature’s Curator “tell” the receptor molecules sitting on leaves or roots to “call on” the plant’s immune system to switch itself on to high. His compound fits into the new scientific system called “bio-mimicry” which studies nature and imitates the way it works.

Balasingham says the plant is effectively tricked into thinking it is under attack and marshals its resources by producing essential oils that improve its health and resist disease.

Activator not fertiliser
The compound – more accurately described as an activator - is not a fertiliser even though it includes extracts from various food products like coconut, aloe, kelp, palm oil, lecithin and soy beans.

Nature's Curator say horticulturalists round New Zealand trialling Agrizest in the past four years rave about brighter coloured, crunchier or more flavourful fruit.

The recently released Nature’s Curator is currently being trialled by garden writers and clubs.
"Already triallists are impressed by languishing plants that didn’t respond to other treatments suddenly bursting into renewed vigour or flowering like never before."

Certified organic
Balasingham describes his products as safe because he only uses food grade ingredients and the products and manufacturing are audited and certified as an organic agriculture compound. It only takes a few sprays to turn on a plant’s immunity and then maintenance sprays to keep it humming along.

But Balasingham can’t resist over-using it on his azaleas at home: “I spoil them but they have rewarded me with blooms even during the off season.”

Case Studies:

Native Plants - Paul Mead is regenerating an area with natives and had a remarkable result with his cabbage trees: 

Paul Mead, Nelson
“I’ve had the most noticeable and rewarding result with cabbage trees. One plant had started to bend over like a staple only to straighten out and grow up right again after spraying with this product. Nothing that I’ve used in the past has given this kind of result, amazing! The plant is doing really well in poor clay soil and Nature’s Curator is now part of the growing program that I have adopted to enhance growth potential and reduce pest and disease issues. Using this product on native plantings and revegetative areas can be of help when getting plants established especially with the likes of transplant shock and adjusting to environmental factors. Every little bit helps when every plant counts.”

Also, Anna Harries, a landscape gardener at a windy links golf course, again with natives: 

Anna Harries, Landscape Gardener, Miramar Golf Club
“The high wind, sandy soil and limited water makes this location particularly difficult and many of the hardy grasses and pittosporum were really struggling. Everything I’ve sprayed is showing signs of growth and improving in health and vigor, including some that haven't grown in over four years that are bulking up with obvious new green leaves and flowers. Even the Norfolk Pine seedlings have noticeable growth and healthy colour and we haven’t lost any of them to the conditions.”

Upcoming in-store demonstrations in the Auckland area:

Sat 3 Oct 11am: EcoStore. Scotland St, Freemans Bay Auckland
Sat 3 Oct 2pm: Tully & Gardener. Richmond Road, Grey Lynn Auckland
Sun 4 Oct 11am: Mitre 10. Queen St, Warkworth
We hold a FREE Raffle for a 500ml bottle of concentrate at each event. Our Special Offers Page has more details. 


Natures Curator will also be on TVNZ Good Morning, Friday October 16th at 10:20am. "We'll be discussing the science behind this new horticultural breakthrough and showing how to best use it for getting great results, naturally - without adding anything to the growing environment. "

www.naturescurator.co.nz

www.agrizest.com