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Springfield, MO

I know a bunch of us have used molasses this year as a foliar spray AND a bunch of us are fighting much worse powdery mildew than ever. Are these two things related? Yes, I know the conventional wisdom that molasses ought to reduce fungal disease. However, fungi like sugar...beneficial fungi and bad fungi too. So who is spraying molasses (or not) and who is seeing powdery mildew (or not)? Thanks, Chris

9/8/2004 12:02:46 AM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

chris i have used molasses as a foliar spray all summer on 12 plants and i have no sign of powdery mildew i grow all organic and use the agro k program i also spraw once a week with a baking soda mixture 2 table spoons full

per gallon foliar. ps do you want the 650 lyodds? just let me know i dont want anything for em in trade

9/8/2004 12:18:15 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

My PM has been under control since I started using Immunox plus weekly, followed a day later with molasses.
I truely believe that the PM is due to the very humid weather that we have had on this coast.

9/8/2004 12:30:33 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Points to consider:

Powdery Mildew is worse this year all over the world & the problem is not exclusive to any treatment protocol.

Molasses is not a fungicide. Despite all sorts of claims, the only valid reason to use Molasses is to stimulate soil bacteria. To improve soil & enhance mibrobial activity, moleasses is very good & I don't seek to dicount it's use. However, soil bacteria do nothing to the airborne spores that cause foliar diseases.

There has been some research in the area of supressing PM with various *fermentations & teas*. However the Molasses is used to fuel other processes required to created the fermentations & not used for it's own antifungal properties.

On the idea of exploding cell phones at gas stations, once a few comments were made on the internet, a veritable deluge of misconceptions is now touted as gospel on gardening websites all over the www.

I think Keith either got very lucky or is sitting on some superior genetics that he & I need to talk about! LOL

9/8/2004 7:40:25 AM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

tremor i dont know about luck or not with all the rain we had this year but i just have had no pm maybe the punkin gods are taking care of this nebie i just know im religious with the molases and it and the agro k is all ive been using guess its just luck he he lol hey ill take some of youre exceptional genetic seeds if youre offering tremor!!!!!!!

9/8/2004 4:11:44 PM

Covington, WA

I'm experiencing the worst infestation of powdery mildew I have ever dealt with in the garden. I am also using molasses for the first time this year. I don't think the two are neccessarily related though as it is affecting some plants which never got a taste of the molasses. I thing the solid week of rain we go in late August along with the warm temperatures had more to do with it. I sprayed with Bravo two days before the rain arrived, but by the time we dried out the damage was done.

9/8/2004 7:47:02 PM

Covington, WA

Think, not thing, and got, not go. Stuping finders.

9/8/2004 7:49:02 PM

Covington, WA

Doh! stupid fingers.

9/8/2004 7:50:11 PM

Long Island,New York

Put your glasses on Chris !!!

9/8/2004 7:51:17 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Burrhead,
I feel that the Agro-K (this is supposed to aid in stronger, healthier and more resistant plants) along ith the molasses did ya right bro!
I'll be using it next season!

9/8/2004 9:53:30 PM

Sheridan . NY

ok molasses--stimulates the growth of beneficial microorganisns on the leaf surfaces to help fight off harmful pathogens --bad stuff --fungie has been a very bad this year you are spray evenings right----mix a little fish and seaweed with it next time for more bio power

9/9/2004 4:15:27 PM

Sheridan . NY

powdery --vigor cal phos is working when used in the Agro-k pumpkin program on downie and powdery mildew

9/9/2004 4:37:10 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Thanks for the great info Craig!

9/9/2004 6:48:22 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

I can attest to the Agro-k program keeping mildew in check on my plants this year. Had to yank my squash, zuc's, gords,
and jack-be-littles due to horrific powdery mildew situation! (these plants weren't included in the program!)
And they didn't get a second thought because they were in too close proximity to the Pumpkins!

9/9/2004 8:33:52 PM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

craig thats what ive been doing and its definetely working hey how is youre season going????????burrhead

9/10/2004 2:25:24 AM

Vermont Green MTN State

I have one plant that has been just beautiful, has produced my 705 and still has no mildew, all the rest do. I have a clone started for that one!

9/10/2004 1:55:10 PM

Commack, NY

Speaking of which, did you ever get that weighed at a different scale?

9/10/2004 2:54:34 PM

Montoursville, PA

The AGRO-K Program is clearly sold as a series of products "HELPING MOTHER NATURE". Carbohydrates build stronger plants as well as offer direct food for bacteria and fungi on the leaf surfaces. It has been many times proven that the good guys will out position and out eat the bad guys. It's true that molasses feeds the bacteria in the soil, on the soil and on the plant structure including the leaves. The gentle formulations, of Agro-K, support Mother Nature's natural processes. Molasses feeds her critters and consequently her plants and fungi where ever they may be and adds other factors all good for your patch and plants.
....Perhaps AGRO-O K is the only total growing season ballanced support program still leaving you the option to add a bit, of help, or drop something revealed by soil testing. It is not designed to surpass or surplant solid sensible soil management.

10/19/2004 9:23:03 AM