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New Hampshire

I was just was wondering what soil pathogens are and how I can make sure I dont get them. I hear alot of people getting them and it destroys their season by not allowing plants to grow. Thanks for all your help!!!

Doug

11/13/2003 4:11:37 PM

Greene County, Pa.

I'm not 100% sure about all of this yet cause I am new at this, but I got how to grow world class pumpkins 1&2 and in book 2 it touches base with it. From what I gather it is a fungus , That you can't see with the naked eye. It can be transported from one place to another by means of wind, rain, birds and even you walking in an infected patch. I really hope I don't ever encounter it but this hobby will last me a lifetime so I'm sure I will. Now here is what Don says to do. Sterilize all hand tools , try to experiment with some natural enemy spores like; Bio-trek, Rootsheild, or T22. I hope that helps a little, You need to get those books I've read them both several times and still learn something new everytime. I will be soon getting part 3. I'm sure someone else on the site knows a heck of alot more then me, I hope they post also because I'm interested in this subject also.

Buddy

11/13/2003 4:32:55 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

The word "Pathogen" simply means capable of causing a disease. A disease is any form of abnormality which interferes with normal healthy plant growth. The family sedan would be a pathogen if someone were to drive it through the pumpkin patch! LOL

We usually associate soil borne pathogens with vectoring fungal diseases which may lead to wilts & other vascular or tissue destroying disorders. None of the pathogenic organisms should be confused with the beneficial organisms that live in soils such as bacteria. These can do us much good.

There is much talk about "innoculating" soils with beneficial organisms in an effort to tip the scales away from pathogens. There is much more to be said about this than I have time to share right now. I don't want to discourage anyone from trying new things that could help them. And I am a strong advocate of building a soil that is teaming with life & a vital biomass. But there is no silver bullet out there that will solve all soil borne pathogenic plant problems. Honest.

Steve

11/13/2003 7:42:42 PM

New Hampshire

Thanks.

Doug

11/13/2003 9:30:13 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Ugly horrible prolific suckers...can waste years of a growers life.....Yikes...If you even think you have them identify early and treat em...chuck

11/15/2003 6:39:01 AM

Kuna, Id.

Trust me if ya get them you'll wish you did'nt. I lost 12 plants to them this season. Getting them is easy gettting rid of them is a hole new story.
Ken

11/15/2003 1:56:34 PM

Montoursville, PA

Everyone has pathogens in their patches. As soil handling and treatments unballance the biological as well as other patch factors the weaker plant is produced and the pathogens move in for the kill.

11/16/2003 11:26:53 AM

Montoursville, PA

It would be nice if we could treat pathogens without killing off a whole bunch of good biological parts of your soil too. This is not possible. Since nothing is absolute all treating to kill off does is lower the unballance below that which may hinder growth. When the knock down rebounds it is still in the same unballance that was knocked down in the first place. This sometimes fools one into thinking that quick so called getting rid of pathogens is the way to go. It may be for a year or two but not for the long haul.

The most sensible approach seems to be working with the biological side of the patch in the first place thereby causing it to be able to controll the pathoghens. That is pretty much the way you found your soil condition the first year you gardened it. That first year garden or pumpkin was a dandy. So why not head back from the direction you came? The end result will be most pleasing and stay that way with little maintenance once you arrive back home.

11/18/2003 6:37:42 PM