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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

We have had rain nearly every day since the first of June. Some days the sun comes out after the rain. I have looked at quite a few gardens and nearly all of the tomato plants have either Early Blight or Septoria Leaf Spot to some degree. Since these problems effect mostly the lower leaves of our plants, this is not good for anyone doing extreme pruning. You just cannot afford to lose the lower leaves because that is all you may have. Anyway, I visited a tomato patch today that is being grown in a high tunnel. There was no evidence of either Septoria or Early blight on any of the plants. The lower leaves were absolutely healthy. Hmmmmm.

7/18/2015 7:30:04 PM

Allentown, PA

Yes Marv, this is why my portable green house will e erected for next season.

I also have two very large retired municipal recycling bins that are in great shape that I will be using. I'll be growing one plant per container. They already have six large drain holes in the bottom of each so no need to drill any.
This season on my side of the state has also been a real challenge concerning disease.

I hope that with growing most of my plants inside a structure I can avoid most if not all fungal diseases.

7/19/2015 6:21:59 AM

valparaiso, in

I have been spraying my plants that are away from my eaters with Eagle, and they are looking good so far.

7/19/2015 10:08:46 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Julian, I have seen a report that Eagle is approved for tomato.
I am not sure what length of time before harvesting fruit it can be used, however.

7/19/2015 10:18:14 PM

Allentown, PA

I would like to know more about Eagle. The issue with many is the cost due to the large volume one must buy. For someone just growing giant tomatoes the amount would be minimal as compared to commercial application sizes most of these are sold in.

7/20/2015 6:08:21 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

You can get a pint or a quart of eagle 20 for like $40.

7/20/2015 10:04:35 AM

Ely Mn

I don't use any fungicide on my tomato's but I use eagle 20 on my pumpkins.great stuff!and last a long time.

7/20/2015 2:09:38 PM

Allentown, PA

Thank you for the information Orangeneck!

7/20/2015 3:09:56 PM

valparaiso, in

Marv I do not eat my competition tomatoes. I will look into it for to find out what the harvesting time is.
For my eating tomatoes I spray with Immunox early in the season as the harvesting time is a month if I remember right, and then I spray with Daconil every 7-10 days. The bottom leaves get thrashed, but it keeps the top ones good.

7/20/2015 11:55:59 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Last year the largest tomato and pumpkin were grown in essentially high tunnels. It looks to me like the best protection against early blight and septoria leaf spot and late blight as well is to keep water off your plants completely. No splash bringing early blight or septoria and no rain bringing late blight or at least a much lower chance of getting these. If this is not possible, then the antifungals and maybe the antifungals anyway.

7/21/2015 9:45:21 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

I growing most of my giant tomatoes in a high tunnel this year and watering with drip. Though I have no early blight or septoria, pollination has been extremely poor. The last few storms have added natures air conditioning and the heat and moisture levels are lower and now more are being pollinated but I'm seeing few megablooms.

7/21/2015 8:26:11 PM

Omaha, Ne.

has anyone tried a systemic like infuse

7/21/2015 9:03:39 PM

valparaiso, in

Materdoc I couldn't find anything directly saying that Eagle was for use on tomatoes, but on the DOW website it says that it controls septoria leaf spot. With that said, Spectracide Immunox Multi-Purpose says you can apply it up to and including the day of harvest, but not to plant a new crop in the same place as one that was treated within 30 days. Eagle is 19.7% Myclobutanil, and Spectracide is 1.55%.
I will keep looking though.

7/22/2015 12:39:55 AM