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Simi valley, ca

anyone know any info about banner max being a growth regulator, want to be sure it wont stunt growth , herd it wont if applyed to directions ,, ???

4/20/2005 11:33:18 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Banner Maxx was originally developed by Ciba-Geigy right along sign Primo which is a GA inhibiting growth regulator. Chemically they are VERY similar having come from the same lab. The original researchers thought that Primo was a fungicide & Banner a PGR. So some years ago I used heavy rates on som Begonias that were suffering from Botrytis. The plants recovered nicely, but were more compact, dark - dark green & had no flowers for several weeks (highest labeled rate). The untreated Begonias that year continued to flower, had lighter green leaves & might best have been called "leggy" in comparison.

I've noticed the same result on other annual bedding plants grown for summer color but never to the same extent since I now keep the rate on the lower side on young plants or use a different fungicide when they're young.

We see Powdery Mildew here in CT before we pollinate some years. Thus my own program calls for PM sprays before the end of June. This is likely to mean spraying fungicides before fruit set. Since we should all be rotating our systemic fungicides anyway, it is no big deal to use a different systemic (Eagle, Thiophanate-methyl, etc) for the first 1 or 2 sprays. Then after fruit set we can use Banner in the rotation.

4/21/2005 4:53:35 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

"Banner Maxx was originally developed by Ciba-Geigy right along *SIDE* Primo which is a......

It is worth noting that those Banner treated Begonias remained much healthier & would have been considered much more marketable at retail. So there is no surprise to see certain bedding plant producers using Banner in their greenhouse spray program. Why use a PGR if a fungicide is also called for.

As Pumpkin growers we are usually looking to INCREASE growth. But many more of the PGR users are looking to DECREASE it.

4/21/2005 4:57:47 AM