Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
diseases, though, are treatable through a combination of
pruning and spraying.
When a plant infection of any sort is first noticed, you may be
able to save the plant by applying compost tea and/or
Messenger. These products can stimulate an immune response
that helps the plant overcome the infection. Their usefulness
in that regard varies depending on the plants and diseases
involved, so try it and keep notes of the results. A number of
spray fungicides can also be used. Common fungicides
include copper sulfate, Bordeaux mix (a mixture of copper
sulfate and lime), baking soda, garlic oil, and neem oil.
Baking soda is mixed two table-spoons per gallon of water
with one ounce of light horticultural oil added, and the others
are mixed according to label directions.
Some less well-known antifungal agents can have surprising
results. I had a problem with powdery mildew on my lawn
last spring (we had an especially wet spring), and I eliminated
the infection by spraying with a mix of neem oil and fixed
copper.
If saving the plant is either unsuccessful or inadvisable, then
the plant should be removed from the garden immediately.
Removing an infectious plant can be problematic since it can
be covered with microscopic spores that will spread all over
the place if the plant is disturbed. The solution is to spray the
plant with something that will hold any spores in place and
inactivate as many as possible before attempting removal. A
good spray for this is made of two tablespoons of castile soap,
one tablespoon of copper sulfate, one tablespoon of lime, and
one tablespoon of light horticultural oil all mixed together in a
gallon of water. The soap and oil will make the plant sticky so
