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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: betula on June 26, 2009, 20:28:27

Title: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: betula on June 26, 2009, 20:28:27
Very hot and very wet.

Any blight alerts?
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: ceres on June 26, 2009, 20:32:39
Not down here.  There was one full Smith period 14/15 May and a couple of near misses since.  It seems the humidity hasn't been staying high enough for long enough.  The Blightwatch map is showing only 2 incidents reported across the whole country, both in south-west Cornwall.  One is on volunteers and the other is on an outgrade pile.  So far so good. 
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: betula on June 26, 2009, 20:44:59
Thanks Ceres :)
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 26, 2009, 21:16:00
We could be heading for one, but haven't reached that point yet. I don't worry about the odd one, just when we get a string of them as this is what allows the disease to spread across the country.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: amphibian on June 26, 2009, 21:42:37
It's forecast to be damp and mild for a week or so in a fortnight, I reckon I might spray then, but I am determined to avoid it if at all possible.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: hippydave on June 26, 2009, 21:48:32
im in nottinghamshire and there are 2 plots that have got blight, they are at the top of our site and im at the bottom but maybe its just a matter of time before i get it, 1 of  the guys opposite also has blight on his greenhouse toms so i gusse im doomed >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Kepouros on June 26, 2009, 22:06:30
I would be very surprised to hear that there is actually blight in Nottinghamshire, since the conditions normally associatedf with its appearance simply haven`t yet existed, and the only reports of it are over 300 miles from Notts.

It is far more likely to be some simple physiological condition, such as those already debated recently.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Digeroo on June 26, 2009, 22:21:43
I have grown tomatoes outside for 30 years and only once (last year) lost the lot.  I have decided to try and be positive and remember the years in which I had tomatoes dripping off plants all over the garden.  But it is not easy.

Someone once told me that you should grow tomatoes and runner beans, if one does very well the other does badly.  And I had wonderful beans last year.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: asbean on June 27, 2009, 00:36:20
Not down here.  There was one full Smith period 14/15 May and a couple of near misses since.  It seems the humidity hasn't been staying high enough for long enough.  The Blightwatch map is showing only 2 incidents reported across the whole country, both in south-west Cornwall.  One is on volunteers and the other is on an outgrade pile.  So far so good. 

Same here, nothing since 15th May.  Not even near misses.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 27, 2009, 21:59:07
I thought we might have been hitting Smith crieria with the wet yesterday and today, but not even a near miss.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: electric landlady on June 28, 2009, 14:44:29
According to Blightwatch we have just got ourselves a full Smith period for the first time this year in Nottingham. I'm off to spray with Bordeaux mix this afternoon - don't really want to but my toms are my favourite crop and they are all doing so well I would be gutted to lose them.

I know some are a bit unconvinced about the effectiveness of Bordeaux mixture - all I can say is that last year I checked/sprayed my tomato babies fanatically. My plot neighbours' toms (about 10 feet away from mine, and unsprayed) all died within 4 days of blight appearing in June. Mine managed to keep going until early Sept when I'd got a reasonable crop off them. Unscientific maybe but anything that might halt the spread of blight is worth a try in my book...it is EVIL!! 
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: OllieC on June 28, 2009, 14:55:13
We had a great crop of tomatoes last year, everybody else on the site lost the lot to blight. I sprayed with Bordeaux every time there was a chance during that horrid, long wet bit. The most important thing with Bordeaux mixture is to not try saving any once it's mixed up - throw away or use up whatever's in the sprayer at the end.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: ceres on June 28, 2009, 15:02:03
I swear by Bordeaux mix too. Last year, it was the frost got my last tomatoes in November when everyone else's around that didn't spray were long gone from blight.

Still no more Smith periods here yet, the humidity isn't staying high for long enough.   
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 28, 2009, 16:01:43
I spoke too soon; I just had notification of a full Smith period. I don't think one is anything to worry about though.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: asbean on June 28, 2009, 16:06:53
We had a great crop of tomatoes last year, everybody else on the site lost the lot to blight. I sprayed with Bordeaux every time there was a chance during that horrid, long wet bit. The most important thing with Bordeaux mixture is to not try saving any once it's mixed up - throw away or use up whatever's in the sprayer at the end.

So that means the half bottle I found in the shed from last year is no good then ???
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: OllieC on June 28, 2009, 16:21:22
We had a great crop of tomatoes last year, everybody else on the site lost the lot to blight. I sprayed with Bordeaux every time there was a chance during that horrid, long wet bit. The most important thing with Bordeaux mixture is to not try saving any once it's mixed up - throw away or use up whatever's in the sprayer at the end.

So that means the half bottle I found in the shed from last year is no good then ???

It's fine if it's still in powder form - if it's already made up as a solution then it won't work... Can't remember the process but I think the copper oxidises & the ions are no longer available to interfere with the fungus germinating - or something like that.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Tattieman on June 28, 2009, 16:22:30
Blight alert in DG11 DG12 and CA1 so that is a big area up here near the solway firth.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: charlie888 on June 28, 2009, 16:31:43
I just got the same message in Leeds, is there anything I should be doing other than keeping fingers crossed (makes typing tricky!)
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: shirlton on June 28, 2009, 16:45:37
Does Dithane do the same as Bordeaux
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: OllieC on June 28, 2009, 17:03:54
Does Dithane do the same as Bordeaux

Yes, it claims to although I've never used it. I like the fact that you can see the residue that Bordeaux leaves & you know it's all rinsed off.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: shirlton on June 28, 2009, 17:08:54
Well I have a new pack of 6 sachets so it gonna get put on tomorrow just in case
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: asbean on June 28, 2009, 17:15:36
We had a great crop of tomatoes last year, everybody else on the site lost the lot to blight. I sprayed with Bordeaux every time there was a chance during that horrid, long wet bit. The most important thing with Bordeaux mixture is to not try saving any once it's mixed up - throw away or use up whatever's in the sprayer at the end.

So that means the half bottle I found in the shed from last year is no good then ???

Thanx, Ollie. Just had someone look over my shoulder and said "I could have told you that"  ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Plot69 on June 28, 2009, 18:24:30
I had an alert today in Peterborough, area PE4.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Deb P on June 28, 2009, 19:47:14
Yep, alert here in Derby emailed to me this evening...... :-\
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: amphibian on June 28, 2009, 20:04:11
Pre mixed bordeaux powders are not as effective as one mixed to need, I have tubs of copper sulphate and lime and mix as needed.

However, I am striving not to use them, but no doubt will fail.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: shirlton on June 29, 2009, 17:36:18
Ower Tone has sprayed his taters with Dithane. Fingers crossed
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: macmac on July 01, 2009, 13:20:12
Can somebody tell me where i can get bordeux mixture ???
it doesn't seem readily available,i've tried looking online but they seem to be  lot's of american sites and i'm being distracted by all the wine offers :D
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: ceres on July 01, 2009, 13:35:34
Can somebody tell me where i can get bordeux mixture ???
it doesn't seem readily available,i've tried looking online but they seem to be  lot's of american sites and i'm being distracted by all the wine offers :D

Any good garden centre or online here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitax-Bordeaux-Mixture-175Gm/dp/B000TASTWW (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitax-Bordeaux-Mixture-175Gm/dp/B000TASTWW)

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__bordeaux-mixture_W0QQ_nkwZbordeauxQ20mixtureQ20QQ_cqrZtrueQQ_nkwuscZbodeauxQQ_nkwuscZmixture?_rdc=1 (http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__bordeaux-mixture_W0QQ_nkwZbordeauxQ20mixtureQ20QQ_cqrZtrueQQ_nkwuscZbodeauxQQ_nkwuscZmixture?_rdc=1)

http://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/v3/pest-control-fungicides-c-781_824_834.html (http://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/v3/pest-control-fungicides-c-781_824_834.html)

http://www.heritage-homeandgarden.co.uk/vitax-bordeaux-mixture-175gm-p-6888.html (http://www.heritage-homeandgarden.co.uk/vitax-bordeaux-mixture-175gm-p-6888.html)

http://www.wyevale.co.uk/Vitax-bordeaux-mixture-+175g/0800000265,default,pd.html (http://www.wyevale.co.uk/Vitax-bordeaux-mixture-+175g/0800000265,default,pd.html)
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: amphibian on July 01, 2009, 20:15:03
Can somebody tell me where i can get bordeux mixture ???
it doesn't seem readily available,i've tried looking online but they seem to be  lot's of american sites and i'm being distracted by all the wine offers :D

Pre mix powder is not as effective as the raw ingredients mixed when needed. The raw ingredients are copper sulphate and slaked lime.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: ceres on July 01, 2009, 20:26:52
Pre mix powder is not as effective as the raw ingredients mixed when needed.

Why?
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Emagggie on July 01, 2009, 20:52:01
Please can someone tell me where to get the blight alert info from?
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: grotbag on July 01, 2009, 21:18:36
http://www.potato.org.uk/
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Sholls on July 01, 2009, 21:20:15
EMaggie, you need to register with:

http://www.blightwatch.co.uk/

Once registered they'll notify you if there is a Smith Period in your area. :)

~~~

Edit: Cross posted with Grotbag.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: amphibian on July 01, 2009, 21:33:27
Pre mix powder is not as effective as the raw ingredients mixed when needed.

Why?

The chemicals start degrading more rapidly once mixed than they do when kept separately. The freshness of the slaked lime is more important than that of the copper. I buy copper to last some time and smaller quantities of lime, this way there is less waste.
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: telboy on July 01, 2009, 22:59:05
I can't recommending the spraying of 'copper sulphate & slaked lime' within the confines of an aluminium greenhouse.
Corrosion being the main reason!
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: ceres on July 01, 2009, 23:38:34
Pre mix powder is not as effective as the raw ingredients mixed when needed.

Why?

The chemicals start degrading more rapidly once mixed than they do when kept separately. The freshness of the slaked lime is more important than that of the copper. I buy copper to last some time and smaller quantities of lime, this way there is less waste.

Thanks!  I had thought previously about buying the separate components and mixing my own as it's expensive to buy the pre-mixed stuff.  You've convinced me it's a good idea for a different reason!
Title: Re: BLIGHT ALERT?
Post by: Emagggie on July 02, 2009, 01:06:25
Thanks grotbag and sholls ;D ;D
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