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Owensboro, Ky.

I am a new grower and seemed to have bought into the reported benefits of Mychorizae. Last night I read that the use of systemic fungicides would negate the effects of mychorizae. Any thoughts? Is mychorizae worth using? All info appreciated. PM brought my first growing attempt to a screaching halt very early. Would I be able to use a foliar fungicide with the mychorizae?

2/16/2005 7:10:29 AM

Montoursville, PA

I would continue using mycorrhizae. Look for less harsh things to work on PM. I have had great success with Neem Oil with baking soda added, 2 tablespoons per gallon of spray.

Neem Oil is a mild organic based insecticide, miticide and fungicide. Baking soda gives it another content to fight PM. Some folks add milk which may or may not help. I never could tell when I added milk to the baking soda.

Very late in the season I have had to use two applications of harsher fungicides. This is a major improvement for me.
What I did two years ago did not make last year any more difficult. In fact some would tell you last year was one of the worst in recent years.

2/16/2005 11:10:38 AM

Montoursville, PA

Your manures, composts and ten pounds of corn meal added both Spring and Fall will do as much to help you fight the mill dews.

Foliar sprays if alowed to run off and drench the soil will in fact build up and hurt your biological ballance. The trade off of some harm coupled with the addition of more manures, composts, corn meal and compost teas may be the best way to go. What you read may have been Don Chapman's monthly news letter. His words make good sense to me.

2/16/2005 11:19:21 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Thanks Doc, it makes sense to me to, if mychorizae is a combination of beneficial fungi and you used a systemic fungicide, it would kill the fungi present both good and bad. Thanks for the info. I used Neem oil last year but I got started late...didnt know what I was fighting until almost too late. I have learned over the winter that prevention is the key. Peace Wayne

2/16/2005 9:54:36 PM

Montoursville, PA

I spoke with a very fine organic truck farmer last summer. After hearing of my problem with the milldews he anounced that he never has that problem.

Well........I moved right in close and said, "Dutchie I will personally deliver fifty gallons, of aerobic tea, to your place, for that secret".

His answer: "git the fool pumpkins out, of your patch".

2/16/2005 10:43:47 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Docgipe, Are you saying get a new patch?

2/16/2005 11:31:15 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

The impact of fungicides on mycorrhiza is variable. Different fungicides affect the different mycorrhiza to a variety of degrees from 0-100.

See this link to the chart:

http://www.mycorrhizae.com/index.php?cid=24&

This whole website is a good starter resource for folks wanting to learn more about Mycorrhizal inoculants. Just beware since the Doctor is selling a product too.

2/17/2005 11:34:34 AM