Harpin Protein

Harpin Protein is one of the very few “snake oils” sold in the hydroponics industry that really does work. After hearing about it from one of my suppliers, I came up with a simple experiment and gave it a go. For this test we used a product called Messenger. Well all I can say is a picture is worth a thousand words – why believe me?

Take a look at the photo - it’s of three sunflower plants that were all treated the same except for the number of applications of Harpin Protein applied. The plant on the left received one application, the middle plant received two applications, and the one on the right side was the control (no applications). These plants were raised in doors for a few weeks. While growing I did notice the middle one that got sprayed 2 times was “squattier” but significantly more robust.

They were moved outside and left unattended for three days while on vacation. Upon return the results were amazing. The plant that was not treated was covered in bugs and mostly eaten completely. If you take a close look at it you will see small “last ditch effort flowers”. On the other hand the middle plant did suffer some damage but was able to fend off the attack much better. It was actually able to trap and kill many of the bugs that landed on it. The one on the right was somewhere between the two.

So now the down side – Messenger, the only commercially available Harpin Protein in the United States, is no longer available. Eden Bioscience closed its doors in 2009.

The good news is there is a UK based company that is now owns the rights to Messenger and are now selling their version called Halo Harpin Protein. I haven’t had a chance to test it for myself (hint, HINT) but am looking forward to it.