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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

One of the biggest problems growing organically is what to do about plant diseases. You may not get as many problems if your plants are grown organically but what if you do? I have sprayed milk on plants to kill powdery mildew. It works by changing the pH of the plants surface. What things have you been doing that have both worked or failed? Are you using anything to prevent disease?

2/26/2020 8:32:20 AM

Central NY

do mean in general?....or as it pertains to competition plants?…

2/26/2020 8:42:05 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Is there a difference? Anyone doing any of these things? https://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/8-natural-homemade-insecticides-save-your-garden-without-killing-earth.html

2/26/2020 9:10:45 AM

Central NY

well...yea there's a difference...we're growing for ten...i'll nuke those suckers if I have to...ill dump gas on em...whatever it takes...

2/26/2020 10:13:14 AM

Central NY

last year we didn't need gas...just rotated daconil and copper spray every week...

2/26/2020 10:18:47 AM

Wixom MI.

No smoking at the Chop's house !!! Lol.. :-)

2/26/2020 11:01:14 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I think Porkchop also burned down this thread.

2/26/2020 11:06:43 AM

On a cliff in the desert

You can set fire to your patch if you need to get rid of disease. Heat will kill all diseases in patch and you get a clean slate to work with.

2/26/2020 11:20:17 AM

Central NY

true wile....thats what glen needs to do...

2/26/2020 11:29:47 AM

Central NY

brandon I mean.....(buzzkill glen)

2/26/2020 11:30:48 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

And....one more time......     

One of the biggest problems growing organically is what to do about plant diseases. You may not get as many problems if your plants are grown organically but what if you do? I have sprayed milk on plants to kill powdery mildew. It works by changing the pH of the plants surface. What things have you been doing that have both worked or failed? Are you using anything to prevent disease?

2/26/2020 12:44:56 PM

Grittyville, WA

Ive thought about using pesticides this year... But the bigger issue for me is still the proper nutrients. I will probably try to be stick with more natural and organic methods even though I might get better results with napalm. Anyhow back to your thread marv...

2/26/2020 12:58:43 PM

Grittyville, WA

I have dusted with sulfer. I have actually tried burning slash... But the main defense against pests/disease really seems to be having the soil nutrients properly support the plant. Without proper nutrient levels... Its just asking for problems.

2/26/2020 1:04:54 PM

On a cliff in the desert

you can find organic pesticides/fungicides/traps & lures on Arbicio Organics.

2/26/2020 1:32:55 PM

Grittyville, WA

Sulfer seems to work... Diatomaceous... Not sure. Also I have tried spraying compost tea/ brewed concoction and that did not work. I found it promoted disease. Depends on the specific brew I am sure. Obviously made mine wrong. Sorry ...simultaneously posting too much and not enough... Hope you get some good info marv.

2/26/2020 1:36:43 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I doubt I will be able to grow without Daconil. I just can't see it. Also. early in the year I have problems with cucumber beetles. I use Triazicide on those when I have to. One year I had russet tomato mites. They ate everything until I figured out what they were. I don't have much faith in liquid soap, low fat milk or the other organic things available to get rid of these.

2/26/2020 6:32:47 PM

Grittyville, WA

I tried soap on flea beatles. Yes... they were surprisingly resilient. I think a few sprays made a minor impact. Crop rotation works well... Its foolproof. I had almost zero flea beatles in a new area 150 ft from the infected area.

2/26/2020 6:55:43 PM

Central NY

ive heard tell of folks using 1 cup minced garlic per gallon and spraying for cuke beetles...they dont bother our tomato plants...very low insect pressure here with all the other stuff for the bugs to feed on...bugs everywhere here too...just not the bad kind...

2/26/2020 7:22:47 PM

Central NY

and if yer in a greenhouse and worried about bugs...try running co2...800-1500 ppm....they might come in and check things out but theyll hightail it outta there once they see the size of the fruits you are growing...

2/26/2020 7:26:32 PM

Gone With The Win

I tried neem oil for white flies/ Aphids it killed them and the leaves too. They still kept coming back lol.

2/26/2020 8:13:58 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Companion is decent.
Little bit pricey.
I’ve used BT and neem oil with some success.
Humidity is high here,so daconil is a must in the rotation.
I also like mancozeb but once it gets above 75 degrees that and copper will burn your leaves badly.

2/26/2020 9:04:11 PM

Norfolk, UK

I remove older leaves or any leaves that look like they might become starting points for disease. Also try to prevent conditions that are might be conducive by trying to regulate humidity, airflow. Also spacing / pruning of plants. I use a bit of sulphur where cracks on the tomato stem as it pulls ... but that’s kind of it. Seaweed & compost tea are the only foliar sprays.

2/27/2020 2:36:26 AM

France

I never had any serious diseases on my tomatoes plant for years now. Growing Under polytunnel is a great advantage to avoid rain, Wind, cold etc... from april to december, the only thing that kill them in the frost. I don't use any fongicids or insecticid at all and stay healthy all season. Just Apply subtilis in soil once or twice at planting time.

2/27/2020 7:51:20 AM

Central NY

Subtilis?

2/27/2020 8:00:43 AM

Wixom MI.

Mehdi that is impressive! You grow 100 tomato plants in a poly tunnel and you have no problems with disease or insects ?

2/27/2020 8:56:44 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Bacillus subtilus, a living organism.

soils and the gastrointestinal tract of animals like cattle, goats, deer and humans. As one of the first bacterium species to be studied extensively, it is now widely used for industrial, agricultural and fermentation processes because of its ability to tolerate extreme temperatures and low humidity. Bacillus subtilis is heavily competitive in the soil and commonly outcompetes other soil microbes making it exceptional for fungal disease control in growing media and on foliage.

Bacillus subtilis competes with other microorganisms by producing antibiotics that either kill competition or reduce their growth rate. It is reported to induce SAR (systemic acquired resistance) against bacterial pathogens, whereby the plant's defenses are triggered prior to pest incursion. Additionally, Bacillus subtilis hinders spore germination in plant pathogens and prevents pathogens from attaching to the plant. When applied to the soil, Bacillus subtilis works symbiotically with numerous beneficial bacteria to solubilize phosphorus. This makes it helpful in areas where phosphate-heavy fertilizers have traditionally been used, allowing plants to absorb what is already in the soil.

2/27/2020 9:19:53 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Some got cut off. I think you get the idea.

2/27/2020 9:21:02 AM

Central NY

thanks marv!....im chuckin the milk...

2/27/2020 9:21:45 AM

France

Wixom, I grow up to 800+ tomato plants and had no problem with insects or diseases. The biggest problem is the heat that stress the plants growth and burn the flowers.

2/28/2020 4:03:19 AM