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Garden Gate:  Tomato Blight...Cure?  |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 09:56:55 AM
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We built a 12 x 50 greenhouse this spring for the sole purpose of raising tomatoes as they just will not grow outside in our damp climate. We got almost 400 lbs believe it or not!
As fall approaches, so does the blight in my tomato greenhouse. I have kept all the blighted leaves trimmed off all summer, but now it has gotten carried away.
Is there an organic method of controlling this blight? I have heard that copper will do it, but is it an accepted organic method and does it build up in the soil?
I will thoroughly tidy the greenhouse as soon as the tomatoes are finished, but how do I super clean it to prevent the blight from forming early again next year?
Live a good and honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time. |
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crazymoose
Farmgirl in Training
38 Posts
Caryn
Auburn
WA
38 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2005 : 11:21:04 AM
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I found this on the internet:
The most effective way to treat tomato blights is to prevent them. Here is a list of do's and don'ts:
* Mulch to prevent splash-up from rain.
* Don't water overhead.
* Don't water in the evening.
* Give your plants plenty of space.
* Don't work around your plants when they are wet.
* Don't plant tomatoes in the same place where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplants were grown last year.
* Clean up all debris in the fall and don't compost it.
* Prune out diseased branches promptly and destroy.
* Keep weeds at a minimum.
* Plant resistant varieties when available.
These recommendations are especially important if your crop has late blight. In that case, skip planting tomatoes, peppers, potatoes or eggplant in the same location for at least one season.
By the time gross symptoms appear on your plants, it is too late to apply a fungicide. If you do use a fungicide, you must use it at the very first sign of the disease.
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2005 : 12:14:46 PM
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Thanks for taking the time to type that all out for me Caryn, much appreciated. I pretty much do everything that is listed, but damp weather is damp weather. I was just in the greenhouse and the tomatoes are covered with morning dew. Not much I can do to control that at night even though the greenhouse is well ventilated. Well maybe a fan???
As for fungicides, I won't use them which is why I wondered if copper would be an acceptable organic method of control. Some websites I've visited say it is, some say it isn't <sigh>. :)
Thanks again.
Live a good and honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2005 : 11:12:53 PM
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My Grandfather grew greenhouse tomatoes for years and I used to help him, so maybe I can help. What does this blight look like? Is it yellow sunken areas affecting only the foliage? It might actually be a leaf burn from the condensation and when the sun is out it literally gives the plants a sun burn! Or if anyone who comes in or out of the greenhouse smokes, it could be tobacco mosaic . That's an easier one to deal with. No one who smokes is allowed in! Or must wash their hands and change their clothes before entering. Sounds like you had a great yield so you must have done something right!
with a happy heart |
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Garden Gate: Tomato Blight...Cure? |
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Tomato Blight...Cure?
