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Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

http://www.apsnet.org/pd/pdfs/2000/0114-01R.pdf

I'm always on the look out for natural remedies to our problems. Quite frankly, most don't work well enough to trust.

This material is claimed to offer 96.1-99.9% control of Fusarium oxysporum in multiple trials. IF this is true, then this botanical extract performs better than any chemical fungicide I've ever tried. LOL

I've contacted the manufacturer & await their response.

7/13/2006 11:50:54 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Well done Steve...As one who has suffered from fusaria, I know to well that a backyard gardener doesn't have the ability to lay fallow and crop rotation and is a real threat every year..Pathogens like weeds seem to be able to reproduce faster then the good stuff...fertilization programs for AG's often help the pathogen grow even faster...nothing worse then having a good looking plant have pumpkins that will eventually rot and fall off with blacks spots...

7/14/2006 9:02:13 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Update: The manufacturer responded & is checking their list of state registrations for me. If all goes well we might distribute this product next year.

7/14/2006 2:50:19 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

Steve what is there I can do to get rid of Fusarium? It has to be it after 3 years of the same thing. Thanks Marty

7/14/2006 8:37:25 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Marty,

If you have a plant that is exhibiting symptoms right now, then get in touch with your cooperative extension office & ask to have a pathological determination first.

If fusarium is confirmed, the lab will advise a 2-3 year break from Pumpkins. If you have land this might be acceptable.

If not & you must use the patch, then ripping everything up now & treating with Basamid would kill the disease. You cannot wait until October to use Basamid. It would have to be used NOW.

You can instead "solarize" the area by covering with 3 mil clear plastic until winter. This also would have to be done now.

This botanical material that I am exploring is purported to be able to check Fusarium (& other disease) without a break in growing use. I am sceptical but willing to investigate.

If the infection is just getting started you can try an agreesive fungicide program to save the season. But be forewarned this will be a real uphill battle & might not work as well as you'd like. Thiophanate-methyl (Cleary's 3336, Topsin, etc) applied weekly might help. Banner & Eagle are also moderatly effective.

7/14/2006 10:23:33 PM