The Bottom Line
It’s too early to say with absolute certainty, Messenger is a wonder tonic for plants, but researchers are cautiously optimistic. It is endorsed by gardening associations, including the American Rose Society, and is available in most garden centers.
Pros
- Plants treated with Messenger are less prone to disease and when attacked, recover faster.
- Messenger can protect plants from all sorts of pathogens: fungal, bacterial and even viral.
- It is not genetic or systemic.
- Non-toxic and breaks down quickly
- So environmentally benign it is labeled for use on aquatic plants, on or above the water line.
Cons
- Mesenger hasn’t been around long enough to be absolutely certain of its effects
- Different plants respond to different degrees
- Must be reapplied every 3 weeks
Description
- Messenger is not a pesticide, fertilizer or a pathogen and does not hurt the plant.
- It fools the plant into thinking it's being attacked by disease and triggers its immune defenses.
- It is environmentally safe, breaking down quickly. Does not pollute ground or surface water.
- Promotes root growth, vigor, disease and stress resistence, increased flowering and fruit set.
- Works especially well on roses, even extending the vase life of cut flowers.
- Labeling now includes use on aquatic plants that either float or grow above the water line.
- Messenger Seed Treatment brings the influence of harpin proteins into play before germination.
- Similar products are marketed, but only Messenger uses the plant's own processes to protect it.
- Messenger can be used on all types of plants, indoors and out, including lawn, trees and shrubs.
- Messenger is not a one time shot and will need to be reapplied.
Guide Review - Messenger - A Plant Health Activator
Messenger®, marketed as a plant health activator, is a discovery that was almost stumbled on by accident. Researchers at Cornell University were studying fire blight in apples and pears when they discovered that the harpin proteins being produced as a kind of by-product of the disease, were triggering an early warning mechanism in the plant being attacked, causing it to activate its own defense responses. Messenger is a topical application of harpin protein that produces the same effect in plants. However Messenger is not a pathogen and does not hurt the plant. The plant doesn’t realize it is not being attacked, it just senses harpin proteins and is tricked into responding. The response is 3-fold:- The immune response genes are spurred into action
- A growth response is triggered and the plant begins photosynthesizing at a higher level
- The reproductive inclination is revved and the plant begins producing more blossoms
According to Jeff McClellan, a Market Manager for Home and Garden at EDEN Bioscience , none of these reactions appear detrimental to the plant. Messenger is applied to the surface of the plant. It is not genetic or systemic. Messenger is non-toxic and breaks down quickly. In fact, since it is a protein, it is a food source.
Messenger is labeled as a bio-pesticide, but Eden Bioscience prefers to refer to it as a Plant Health Regulator. Treated plants will be less disease prone and better able to withstand disease and stress.
