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Ethephon 2SL Plant Growth Regulator
06/13/26
Ethephon 2SL Plant Growth Regulator by Quali-Pro is designed for the removal of dwarf and leafy mistletoe in ornamental conifers and ornamental deciduous trees. Ethephon can also be used to eliminate undesirable fruit on apple, crabapple, carob, and olive trees as well as slowing the growth of turfgrasses.
Tools Needed
Ethephon 2SL is a concentrated plant growth regulator that will treat residential and commercial size areas. To use it you will need either a hose end sprayer, handheld pump sprayer, backpack sprayer, or spray rig. For residential homeowners, we recommend a handheld 1-gallon pump sprayer or a 20-gallon hose end sprayer.
How to Use

- Step 1: Determine how much Ethephon 2SL you will need to apply by calculating the area size where you wish to apply the product. To do this measure and multiply length x width to get the square footage. For acreage, take the square footage calculated and divide by 43,560. For residential and commercial turf applications, Ethephon 2SL should be mixed at a rate of 5 fl. oz. in 1 to 2 gallons of water to treat 1,000 sq. ft. So for example, if you calculated a treatment area of 3,000 sq. ft., you would need to mix Etephon 2 SL at a rate of 15 fl. oz. in 3 to 6 gallons of water to cover the entire area.
- Step 2: Fill your sprayer type halfway with water then add the required amount of Etephon 2SL to the tank based on your calculations. Replace the cap and agitate by shaking the sprayer. Add the remaining water required then repeat agitation until herbicide solution is thoroughly mixed.
- Step 3: Apply the solution to your turfgrass or any plant you wish to hinder the growth of. Use a fan spray nozzle to get an even coating of the treated plant.
- Step 4: Check back after 7 to 10 days and reapply if needed.
Where to Use
Ethephon 2SL is for use on ornamental conifers, ornamental deciduous trees, apple trees, crabapple trees, carob trees, olive trees, and specific turfgrasses that you wish to hinder the growth of for less frequent mowing.
When to Use
Use Ethephon when you have trees bearing unwanted fruit or if your turfgrass is growing faster than you'd like. This can also suppress seedheads of selected turf like poa and white clover
Safety Information
Before applying this product, please make sure to have on the proper PPE for safety (long-sleeved clothing, gloves, face mask, goggles). After treatment, all should remain out of the treated areas until they have completely dried.
Special Considerations
Since Etephon 2SL is an emulsifiable concentrate, you may need to agitate the sprayer regularly to ensure the product is properly mixed while spraying.
| Restricted Use | No |
|---|---|
| Shipping Restrictions | IL, MA, MD, ME |
| Availability | Online |
| Signal Word | DANGER |
| Keith's Pro Tip | "Ethephon 2SL is a plant growth regulator, meaning it slows down the growth of plants and turf. If you're not a fan of mowing your yard every week, a treatment of Ethephon can slow grass growth so you don't have to mow as often." |
| Time to Kill | Ethephon 2SL is a plant growth inhibitor and can take several weeks to see results for fruit bearing trees may take a couple harvest seasons to stop producing completely. |
| Chemical Type | Plant Growth Regulator |
| Formulation | Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) |
| Application Methods | Broadcast Spray, Spot Treatment |
| Product Drawbacks | Etephon 2 SL is an emulsifiable concentrate so it may require constant agitation during treatment. |
| Active Ingredient | Ethephon 21.7% |
| Application Equipment | Backpack Sprayer, Pump Sprayer |
| Mix Rate | The rate for turfgrass is 5 fl. oz. per 1 or 2 gallons of water to treat 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Use Sites | Outdoors |
| Yield | Coverage rates of Ethephon 2 SL vary drastically depending on the application process chosen and specific tree or grass targeted. A 2.5 gallon container of Etephone 2 SL can treat 25,600 sq. ft. |
| EPA Registration No. | 66222-151 |
| Shelf Life | Ethephon 2SL Plant Growth Regulator has a shelf life of approximately 2 to 5 years when stored in a cool dry environment. |
| Comparable Products | T-Nex Plant Growth Regulator |
| Children or pets? | Yes |
| Property Characteristics | None |
| Availability | Online |
| Restricted Use | No |
| Brand | QUALI-PRO |
| Keith's Pro Tips | "Ethephon 2SL is a plant growth regulator, meaning it slows down the growth of plants and turf. If you're not a fan of mowing your yard every week, a treatment of Ethephon can slow grass growth so you don't have to mow as often." |
| Product Drawbacks | Etephon 2 SL is an emulsifiable concentrate so it may require constant agitation during treatment. |
| Target Pests | Ethephon 2SL is used as a plant growth regulator to slow turfgrass growth, eliminate undesirable fruits on trees, and dwarf and leafy mistletoe. For more target pests please refer to the label. |
| Application Equipment | Backpack Sprayer, Pump Sprayer |
| Application Methods | Broadcast Spray, Spot Treatment |
| Active Ingredient | Ethephon 21.7% |
| Product Type | Plant Growth Regulator |
| Formulation | Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) |
| Application Rate | The rate for turfgrass is 5 fl. oz. per 1 or 2 gallons of water to treat 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Shelf Life | Ethephon 2SL Plant Growth Regulator has a shelf life of approximately 2 to 5 years when stored in a cool dry environment. |
| Yield | Coverage rates of Ethephon 2 SL vary drastically depending on the application process chosen and specific tree or grass targeted. A 2.5 gallon container of Etephone 2 SL can treat 25,600 sq. ft. |
| Use Sites | Outdoors |
| Time to Kill | Ethephon 2SL is a plant growth inhibitor and can take several weeks to see results for fruit bearing trees may take a couple harvest seasons to stop producing completely. |
| Comparable Products | T-Nex Plant Growth Regulator |
| Incompatible Home Siding | Brick, Hardie Plank, Stone Veneer, Stucco, Wood, Vinyl |
| EPA Registration # | 66222-151 |



