SAY NO TO PGRs

Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) are chemicals that regulate plant growth. Plant hormones found in PGRs are not nutrients but chemicals that promote and influence growth in plants. PGRs fall under the definition of an agricultural chemical product.

Brands that you may be familiar with that are Product Growth Regulators commonly found on the shelf in hydroponic stores include CYCO (A), Bonza Bud and U-Turn.

There are over 40 chemicals that can be found in PGRs; Daminozide is one of them. In 1989 it was withdrawn by the manufacturer after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed banning it based on unacceptably high cancer risks to consumers.1 Also in 1989, it became illegal to use Daminozide on food crops in the US.²

Acetic Acid in the pure acid and its concentrated solutions are dangerously corrosive, used in the production of soft drink bottles; photographic film; wood glue, as well as synthetic fibres and fabrics.

Naphthalene is the primary ingredient of mothballs. It is volatile, forming a flammable vapour, and readily sublimes at room temperature.³

Ammonium Phosphate is used as a flame retardant in thermoplastic compositions.⁴

Cyanamide has a modest toxicity in humans.⁵

Auxin is a member of the family indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) the most potent native Auxin. Molecules of IAA are chemically labile in aqueous solution, so IAA is not used commercially as a plant growth regulator.

Methylated Spirits is used as a fuel for marine and ultra-light camping (backpacking) stoves, as a sanding aid⁶, as a mealy bug exterminator.⁷ a cleaning aid in removing ink stains from upholstery or clothes, a solvent in shellac and shellac-based products, as a germicide in the removal of fungus from skin and cold sore treatment. A study on rats indicated that the thyroid is the organ most affected by Imidacloprid.⁸

2,4-D is the powerful defoliant and herbicide Agent Orange, used extensively throughout the Vietnam War, contained 2,4-D.⁹

Here are over 40 toxic chemicals found in PGRs

• Imidacloprid
• Daminozide
• Putrescine
• Paclobutrazol
• Daminozide
• Gibberellic Acid
• Indole Acetic Acid (IAA)
• Naphthalene
• Acetic Acid (NAA)
• Putrescine
• Brassinolide
• Benzyladenine
• Auxins
• Cytoklnlns
• Aminoethoxyvinylglycine

• Ammonium Thiosulphate
• Trinexapac-Ethyl
• Hydrocarbon Liquid
• Chlorpropham
• Maleic Hydrazide
• Ethephon
• Cyanamide
• Methylated Spirits
• 6-Benzyladenine
• Methyl Esters Of Fatty Acids
• Gibberellin A4
• Thidiazuron
• Imidacloprid
• 2,4-D
• Beta Naphthoxy Acetic Acid

• Alkoxylated Fatty Alkylamine
• Polymer
• Gibberellin A7
• Ethyl Ester Of C14
• Ethyl Ester Of C22
• Maleic Hydrazide
• Prohexadione-Calcium
• Indole Butyric Acid
• Mepiquat,
• Uniconazole-P
• 1-Methylcyclopropene Flumiclorac-Pentyl
• 1-Aminomethanamide Dihydrogen Tetraoxosulfate
• Chlorflurenol-Methy

Good reasons NOT to use PGRs!

1. They can cause cancer.
2. They contain many harmful chemicals to humans.
3. They are not to be used on cut flowers when successive crops are growth in the same soil / compost.
4. They are not to be re used in potting media from already treated plants for subsequent crops.
5. You need to wear protective clothing (rubber gloves, face mask and a lab coat) at all times during use.
6. They are chemicals so contaminated clothing must not come in contact with food.
7. You need to avoid inhaling the solution when using and if skin contamination does occur,
   wash immediately with water.