Gardening Begins With Daybreak And Ends In Backache!!
The weather has not been as hot as predicted and with the exception of a little rain for Wednesday it will be dry for another week at least. It is not as unbearably hot as out East or in parts of Europe and the flash flooding in Texas was horrific. The El Niño year is playing out as expected and our warmest weather should be the end of July and into August.
Musk, I guess, is announcing a new political party for the U.S. of A. The American Party which I assume he will be leading and financing. That’s what the Americans need is an idiot with a chain saw dancing on stage to influence their vote for a better America. This should be hilariously entertaining in the months to come. You’d think he would have more challenging things to do with his time, money and business losses over the last year.
A friend showed me a picture of his tomato plants that shows the leaves that have begun to wilt. This is caused by a Fungal disease. Fungal diseases are generally soil bourn and can be severe. Some Fungal diseases show themselves in the form of brown spots on the leaves surrounded by yellow patches it starts at the bottom of the plant and works its way up. This is called Early Blight. These leaves should be removed and destroyed!
Do not compost these leaves or the plants at the end of the season as they will infect your compost. Fusarium wilt is the most common fungal problem and is found in the soil and is spread by splashing water, wind, temperatures lower than normal, humidity, plant debris, and human or animal contact.
This disease too starts at the bottom of the plant and works it way upward. You can confirm Fusarium wilt by cutting into the main stem of the plant and look for dark streaks running up the interior of the stem. You may also be able to identify it by inspecting the base of the plant for dark cankers. Little can be done to control this disease and most effort should be spent in preventing its spread.
Verticulum is another fungal disease that presents itself again with the wilting of the bottom leaves of the plant and working up the plant, this wilting is a result of a blockage of the vascular system, either way it can only be controlled from spreading. Most fungal diseases are soil bourn and control of this disease can be achieved by plant rotation (tomatoes should not be planted in the same area for 4 years), pinching off infected leaves, planting varieties that are more resistant, proper disposal of the leaves of infected plants and tomato plants themselves.
Other methods include using good mulch which will prevent the spores from splashing up from the ground onto the plant. Ensure your Tomato plants are well spaced to ensure good air circulation, do not allow the leaves of your plants to touch the ground, only work on your plants when they are dry, water your plants from the base as they don’t like to have their leaves wet.
Other diseases such as Bacterial Wilt and Tomato Pith Necrosis are rarer and more often found in greenhouses and tunnels and are harder to control and damage can be quite extensive.
There are some sprays available on the market now that are organic and will help keep the disease at bay until you can at least harvest your tomatoes. Neam oil is an excellent insecticide and fungicide, Copper Sulphate is an excellent natural fungicide also Pyrethrin (painted daisy leaves) is recommended these and several others are available at garden centres.
Several DIY fungal sprays includes baking soda and water. Put 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda in 1 gallon of water add a teaspoon of cooking oil to the mix to help it adhere to the plant better. Spray the plant well and the soil around the plant as well.
Some recommend using a splash of dish soap or a drop of bleach in this mix as well. Bordeaux mix is a combination of limestone and copper sulphate this can be considered as well. Always consider trying any DIY spray on some leaves before spraying your entire crop with the mixture and do not apply during the hottest part of the day early morning is best allowing time for the mixture to dry well during the day.
Also if you smoke, do not do so around your tomato plants and be sure to wash your hands well or wear gloves afterward to prevent the Mosaic Virus from contaminating your plants.
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
