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Fungicides for fruit and veg
Dan8
Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
Hi everyone, i've recently been investigating what treatments i can use to combat some powdery mildew that has appeared on our gooseberry bush. The advice here and from the rhs website seems to be to use a fungicide that is safe for edibles (such as Difenoconazole or Myclobutanil). However, these have now been withdrawn from sale, along with most other fungicides that are rated safe for fruits, and i notice that many of the replacement products (such as beyer's Fungus Fighter) are no longer rated for use with edibles.
Does anyone have any suggestions for alternatives?
0
Posts
Info here
http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/problems/fruit-and-nuts/gooseberry-mildew/425.html
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=253 - according to the RHS myclobutanil has not yet been withdrawn from sale, and it's certainly available online if that's what you choose to use.
I prefer to choose resistant plant varieties and use organic methods to combat mildew, especially on edible plants.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Hi Dove - okay it's not been fully withdrawn, but if you check out the RHS factsheet (https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/pdfs/fungicides-for-home-gardeners) you will note that all the listed options that are still available are no longer safe for edibles (ornamental plants only). I have seen that many sites are still listing myclobutanil, but if you click through, most are out of stock. I know Beyer for one, stopped making Systhane last summer in preparation for it being withdrawn from sale at the end of this month.
OK, sorry about that - as I said I don't use fungicides on edibles anyway so I'm obviously out of date
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Vitax Organic 2 in 1 spray is still around, and claims to help prevent or slow down fungal attacks (nothing cures them!). It also limits damage from aphids etc.
water really consistently, usually takes care of powdery mildew and try to create better air circulation if poss.. I don't use fungicides on edibles
I picked up a tip concerning powdery mildew on You Tube. Dissolve one table spoon of baking powder in one Litre of water then use this to spray both sides of the plants leaves. I have tried this recently on my courgette plants and it seems to have stopped the mildew in its tracks.
Diluted milk is also supposed to help combat fungal infections. Can't remember the proportions but it can probably be googled for. As with bicarb, it's probably not legal but is unlikely to harm you. I've never tried it.
The other solution is simply to cut back all the affected growth and let the plant regrow. This can work for rust on chives, and white moulds on leafy crops like chard and some ornamentals.
Thanks, i've seen the bicarb and the milk methods mentioned, i will give them a go and see what happens. I don't think it's a water issue as the bush is in a raised bed with an automated watering system, and the soil is kept nice and moist. That said, it was neglected for several years, so i suspect this may be a problem that stems from then.