Wow,
My DH had army in Texas, he has some sort of stories about snakes and scorpions...He said he had enough camping in the Army and didn't want to do it when the kids were little.
bugs and diseases treating your plants?
Aspenhill has posted; so has ssgardener and Bec, and I think I remember a post from Pat.
Help! The early Tomato Blight seems to be taking over the two Parks Whoppers tomato plants.
Next to them is a Cherokee Purple--also showing some signs of this leaf damage.
Next to that is sally's Aunt----German Tomato. So far--holding its own.
I think I pulled off one leaf----so there may be more to come.
If you remember--I sprayed all these with Neem last week.
I have also sprayed my Brugs a couple of times--but the Spider Mites seem to still be hanging around....
What can I do??????????????? If anything.....
Gita - I posted on one of the threads links to merchants that sold a mite eating mite...did you see those?
Chantelle-- I did see that....BUT---
My tomato plants are having blight issues--not mites. I had the mites on my Butterfly Bushes----
Both look horrible....This is the second year my Tomatoes are doing this--but just in this raised bed.
I planted one tomato in the small bed on the E. side of my shed (a Cherry Tomato) and that one seems OK.
Since the blight is a fungus (yes??)--I think I need to find something to treat the soil that will kill the fungus for next year.
I would do this after the gardening season is over....let it work over the winter....
Any suggestions?
I am sure the blight does not just start on the plants--it must come from the soil.
Terri's brother suggested (at the Seed Swap) that I try some hybrid tomatoes--not just heirlooms--
as, he said, they are more resistant to tomato maladies.
So--I planted 2 Parks Whoppers from Bonnie veggies at the HD----and they are the ones now
succumbing to all this blight. To me--it still goes back to the soil.....OR--something I am doing wrong...
Maybe--also--it has not been a good idea that I use the sprinkler to water this bed...
The water gets all the leaves wet--an invitation for all this to spread.....maybe just holding the hose to the
soil level would be better....
I think I should look at Carolyn's book and see what she has to say.
Otherwise--I give up! Maybe I should ust cut down the 2 worst tomatoes and deal with it that way???
The other 3 tomatoes are not so badly affected. I have pulled off one or two yellowing leaves.
These 3 tomatoes are__ Cherokee Purple--Sun Gold---and Sally's Aunt Thelma's German Tomato.
Hard to do anything much in this heat..... It is 8AM--and the Temp is already 85*,
Need to go out and water though before the Temps get in the 3-digits...-it has been two days.....
Gita
Not as blight expert- But- I recently read that early blight comes from fungus that gets splashed up from the soil. I have been free of blight so far (picked off just a few low leaves) and I have not sprinkled, only watered from buckets or laying the hose. soo...
Maybe you can plant tomatoes in a different area of the garden or in large containers for a couple of years before planting tomatoes in this area again? Crop rotation, that is :-)
I've heard the same thing as Sally -- don't get tomato leaves wet when you water.
Yikes and I've been watering and misting the whole dang plants (in pots though) thinking they'd appreciate the cooling down. Will it matter that mine are in pots v. in ground?
Shouldn't.
donner---
You have been here---I have NO different area to plant the tomatoes in.
Then again--I do not have to grow tomatoes at all....end up giving most of them away.
How much can one person eat? Don't even know why I do it???
I had my raise bed built (cost around $500) just so I could grow my tomatoes there!
Last year I blamed the crappy soil I had delivered to fill it. Can't do that any more--I have amended it well...
Chantelle---the leaves of plants never need watering--just the soil. Absolutely NOT on Roses!!!
Even though I did it inadvertently---by using the sprinkler--I should have known better.
I always fuss with people at work that water from above--b/c they don't know better...
All these new hires....
Just finished watering my whole garden--I am drenched!
It did not feel so bad--a little breeze was blowing--but I got drenched anyway.
No let-up in the heat to come...Bahh--Humbug!
Feel so bad for all the people still w/o power Going on 7 days. Can't even imagine that!
No lights--No AC--No TV--No hot water--and 100* temps inside and out....
I would lose all my food that now fills my 19cf freezer as well as the freezers of my 2 fridges.
Must practice gratefulness for what I have.....Gita
Agree, Gita...I know I have to remind myself that on a regular basis. Found this page on blight - y'all may know all this already...was education for me though http://www.veggiegardener.com/tips-for-preventing-and-treating-tomato-blights/
Chamtell, you might be 'saved' if your potting mix is clean and uncontaminated.
Gita, its a wonderful addition to your yard anyway The raised bed and fence back.
double ditto on the tomato watering from the bottom...no sprinklers.
Here are a few tidbits:
Yes, early blight is in the soil, so if you had early blight last year in raised bed it is there this year. Crop rotation is recommended. It can also be in the seed and lay dormant until conditions are right (above 85 degrees and wet or humid.)
Preemptively remove any leaves that touch the ground. You can also remove all bottom leaves 12-18 inches up to limit splash up.
Remove all infected leaves taking care to minimize spore spread. Do not compost. If you do decide to remove your two most infected plants, put a plastic bag over them before removal to minimize spread of spores. (Spores form in those brown 'circles' on leaves and then drop.) Remove any leaf that shows or begins to show any sign of infection to minimize spore development. Spores can mature and disperse in as little as 30 minutes!
Don't spread the disease on hands, clothing or tools. Refrain from working your tomatoes when wet.
If you can, replace any mulch and/or the top layer of soil with minimal disturbance/further spore dispersal, this will help.
Final note, some of us remember that Bonnie Plants had to recall all of their tomato seedlings for sale at big box stores across 23 states because they were all infected with 'late blight' which pretty much rapidly kills tomatoes and caused millions in crop loss commercially as well as individual gardeners and spread the disease far beyond what nature could do on her own. Buy locally grown seedlings .
http://blog.syracuse.com/farms/2010/05/farmers_gardeners_watch_out_fo.html
And although this article addresses 'late blight' the quote below is a good reminder to all of us of our part in passing along the good and the bad in our plants and gardens:
"The best advice for tomato growers, whether they are gardeners or commercial farmers, is to be vigilant, watching for black patches on stems, leaves and fruit, and catch any sign of disease early, McGrath said. Growers who suspect blight should have it confirmed by a cooperative extension agent who will alert other growers.
“This is a community disease,” McGrath said. “If you’ve got it, you have to tell everybody. We have to know where it’s occurring to protect farms.” "
UGH...I swear I've never heard of this stuff...course I don't normally 'do' veggies. Once home...I'm doing a major inspection on my one and only [gulp] Bonnie's...whatever the heck mini sweet tomato I thought I should get. Sheesh...rather go fight the white flies on my gardenias...mercy
An excellent page about Neem Oil
http://www.ottawaorchidsociety.com/orchid/neem_oil.htm
but he says it will go rancid, especially if not refrigerated. Darn.
LMBO - ummm mine's been sitting on my counter for ummmm 4 years now? Yikes....
Me too!!
Saw this huge beetle (2"+) on my brick edging. EEEK!
Yes! I sprayed it and it died. Do not know it was "bad" or "good'...
Anyone know what it is/was? Gita
Will post it on the Bug Forum ID if no no knows...
Looks like just a plain ground beetle to me, but I'm no expert
coleup
Re the tomato blight problem--my tomato leaves do not have any black spots.
Just the leaves yellowing and drying out. No--I do not believe it is just due to the weather...
I am picking off the worst leaves--and now have bare stems on the bottom--and soon, 1/2 way up.
I know leaves have a function to keep the fruits a bit shaded from direct sun.
My plants get sun along the tops--but no sun directly from the front of the bed.
I sprayed them all with (old) NEEM a while back--when we all had this discussion of spraying
in hyot weather going on.
I could spray again, now--but my Neem is just as old as some of you others have said.
Besides--mine is kept in the shed during the growing season. HOT! HOT!! HOT!
I will p/u a Bayer 3-in-1 bottle at HD. WOW! That costs almost $20!
OK! Will go out and take a picture for you.
1-- the Parks Whopper that is on the corner--this was taken a week ago
2--the same plant--now pretty charred/bare looking on the bottom half
3--Both plants (same variety)--the one on left seems OK--the one on the right not so.
The fruit keep growing, though. None are ripening yet...
4--My pickling Cukes growing wild. There are about 10 plants total. Have picked 6 already.
Quote from Gitagal :
Saw this huge beetle (2"+) on my brick edging. EEEK!.
lol Gita, I can't imagine you "EEEKing" about anything, let alone a beetle!
Found a good site on tomato problems from Iowa State. I've bookmarked it as it has good pictures and descriptions.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/pm1266.pdf
Gita, you state several times that your tomatoes have 'blight'. Do you mean actual Early Blight or do you mean the leaves on some of your tomato plants are not looking healthy and you are wondering why? And what to do about it?
Also, despite the price, you seem to like Bayer 3 in 1.Why? Do you feel it will help your tomatoes ? Is it rated for veggie/edible use? Does it contain imalcloprid sp? which harms honeybees?
How frustrating it is for all of us to not be able to swiftly restore our plants and gardens to abundant health. Your value to your friends and neighbors with whom you share your abundant spirit is not measured in ripe tomatoes each and every season...Let them eat pickles instead!!!!!
PS< Chantell, the Bonnie Plant tomato recall was two years ago and they have taken major steps to improve their prevention programs, as any responsible plant company would...just recommended to procure local seedlings where possible to minimize what ever can happen in transit, etc.
colup---Love your up front honest opinions and observations....
I will look at the link later--right now I will just comment (in bold) to your comments...
***************************************************************************
lol Gita, I can't imagine you "EEEKing" about anything, let alone a beetle!
***You are right--more like startled ..as in "WOW"! Never seen that before...
Gita, you state several times that your tomatoes have 'blight'. Do you mean actual Early Blight or do you mean the leaves on some of your tomato plants are not looking healthy and you are wondering why? And what to do about it?
***NO! I do not know if it is "blight"--it is just that that is everything everyone is talking about.
This same thing happened last year to my tomatoes. YES! The leaves on a couple tomatoes are not looking healthy--geez! they are dying off! First yellow--then blotchy--then drying up crisp. NO black spots--so, no blight? I have NOT mulched either.
Also, despite the price, you seem to like Bayer 3 in 1.Why? Do you feel it will help your tomatoes ? Is it rated for veggie/edible use? Does it contain imalcloprid sp? which harms honeybees?
***I know that Bayer makes a quality product. Why did I say I might get a bottle? Again--several people on DG here were mentioning this product as beeing good for "all that ails the garden"....See how impressionable I am!
How frustrating it is for all of us to not be able to swiftly restore our plants and gardens to abundant health. Your value to your friends and neighbors with whom you share your abundant spirit is not measured in ripe tomatoes each and every season...Let them eat pickles instead!!!!!
**I share my pickles too! Everyone loves them! I make them--but seldom eat them, unless I am having a certain dish
for a meal--like Beef Stroganoff. I like pickles with that. Same as I like milk with pizza. One does not just sit down and eat pickles!
******************************************************
I AM frustrated! There has to be a problem either with the soil or something that is in it.
"Rotating crops?" Maybe I will plant TWO tomatoes at the other end of my elevated bed.
That is as much "rotating" that i can do.....
IF there are Fungus spores in the soil--is there any kind of "drench" I could pour over it
for the winter to work on things?
There are 3 more tomatoes that do not seem to be all that affected just to the left of the two big ones that are.
Keeping my fingers crossed.....
Gita
coleup--
I quickly scanned through the link you provided. Seems very good.
Now I am inclined to think what I have is Fusarian Wilt.....Will read all the descriptions later.
Gotta run!
Gita
Bayer does contain Imadacloprid (spelling?) and without reading the label I would not use it on edibles. Even after reading the label I doubt I personally would use something with multiple "-Cides" on an edible crop.
Briefly wanted to share another "tomato problem" trouble shooting link I've found helpful (before I lose it again!)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080615091541AAwza5A
Gita, I also wanted to pre order some of your pickles (for pay or trade??) at fall swap! I DO just eat pickles!
Judy
coleup---As in-----You want me to bring you a big jar full?
OR--Do you just want me to bring my pickles for the pot-luck?
So noted.
My Pickling Cukes are going berserk! I must have a dozen stakes all around it to "give it direction"
as it is twining around itself--my cherry tomato--any post or support in sight--Ric's Bamboo stakes
laying horizontally on brackets on the roof--etc...
The bees are ALL over it! Yeah! More Cukes--IF the plants survive. So far--so good.
As I said earlier--this is about 10 plants of 2 kinds of pickling Cukes.
I have now picked off about 10. Here are a couple of pictures....
YUM
Never met a pickle I didn't like. Oh yeah, will take that back, but I do especially love pickles.
Hope that everyone is having an enjoyable, somewhat cooler weekend.
Ruby
I am being chewed up by some invisible bugs every time I go to pick a cucumber.,...
I think the Cuke leaves are especially attractive to small bugs....All I have to do is spy a cuke--
and then reach into the mess of leaves--and my arms ans shoulders ans ankles itch for days....
Tiny little bite-bums--the size of a pinhead. All grouped in an area or looking like the critter
was just walking along my flesh sticking and sucking on me.
Not sure if they are Chiggers----those are usually in the grass--No?
In a few minutes--I an going to put on a long-sleeved shirt and tall socks and going out there to spray
the area down with yard Guard. I know I have a couple of ripe Cukes to pick.
Also my daughter and her hubby are coming over for crabs in about an hour. Need to spray down my back yard.
Hate this! They are everywhere! I cannot live all chewed up!!! AAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH,,
All the leaves on my Sedum Autumn Joy plants are being eaten -- completely -- from the top down. Ideas? I don't think it is deer -- the hostas nearby are untouched -- plus, I have deer netting around the whole yard and it seems untouched.
Mobot says of Autumn Joy: "No serious insect or disease problems."
This message was edited Jul 14, 2012 7:10 PM
Happy, an elderly couple on my newspaper route have lovely Autumn Joy sedums along their driveway that right now are eaten down to the main stems. The couple says this happens every year and the culprits are deer 'cause they watch them!
So far, this nibbling has not killed the plants and actually they come back in a few weeks a little tighter and less floppy. The couple says the deer like the forming flower heads and wait to nibble til they form. They said the deer get all the emerging leaves of hosta in the Spring and then tend to leave any hosta that regenerates alone. They are 'too old' to do it now, but they used to trim off those denuded autumn joy stalks just to imporve appearances. They think there is less nibbling when summer is wetter rather than droughty.
And, they note that some deer do not like it and move on while others seem drawn to it and nibble for awhile.
That's my report from the field. Judy
PS Isn't all sedum edible?
This message was edited Jul 14, 2012 7:50 PM
If that is the case, I need to check our deer netting because Bambi is getting through! Thanks for the heads-up.
It's a good thing you explained this. Autumn Joy is listed on many sites as deer resistant. I still can't figure out what is going on with my deer netting -- it goes up at least 7 feet.
This message was edited Jul 14, 2012 9:04 PM
Gita - have you seen the 'bracelets' that you can wear to ward off the buggies?
Is it possible that birds are eating the Autumn Joy?
After reading here and experiencing what we have experienced with our own plants, I am seeing and hearing about odd things that haven't happened to anyone in the past. This very strange summer has all the creatures of the world acting in ways they never acted before. I am really so ashamed of how things look in our gardens right now. A combination of no time to tend the gardens and the super hot temperatures has really done a number here for sure.
I haven't paid close attention to any of my Sedum Autumn Joy except for a small bunch that is potted in a pot where I often water. It too has taken a beating from something this year and I don't suspect deer, but haven't the foggiest what might be destroying this particular plant. After readin about Happy's issues, later today I willl make a point to check out the Autumn Joys and see what kind of condition they are in.
Anyway....here is hoping that everyone will have a very enjoyable Sunday.
Ruby
I wouldn't put it past the deer to wlak right up your driveway (brazenly!) and go for it. My mom's yard was pretty well enclosed but they came up the driveway, this is between cape cod style houses on 1/4 acres lots.
I know Sally, we have a neighbor who is a great photographer who often sends pictures of some of the animal life he captures any time at his place which a bit further back in the mountains than we are. In years past I have looked out the back door to see deer inside of our fence, leisurely grazing on a bed of Day Lilies, which John calls candy for them. The goats too will stretch their necks as far as they can to taste the candy taste of Day Lilies too. Got to love it though.
I too know of folks in developments with loads of houses and human activities going on who have problems with the deer eating their lovelies. One of the most heard comments that John hears at the Farmers Market is folks inquiring about deer resistent plants.
Our big thing at the moment is serving as host to hundreds of tree frog tadpoles who are just growing their legs. Some weeks back I bought a kiddie pool for the grand children. Even after reading on line to not bother with swimming pools without filters, I purchased one anyway. It didn't take a frog or two any time at all of finding stagnant water in the pool and do their thing. Amazinigly enough Emily hasn't begged to swim for a couple of weeks now but is highly interested in the tadpoles that are growing in the pool. She took home a jar of her own one day last week.
John told me last night that he plans to scoop up all that he can in a bucket and take them and let them loose in a nearby recreational lake. He needs for the pool to be moved in order to do the next step of roofing and we both, and especially Emily I am sure don't like the idea of just allowing them to die. Hopefully the majority of them will survive. Being at the lake we won't have to hear their loud voices whenever we are outside in the evenings.
So, that is some of the most excitement going on in the parts the last little bit. I suppose the wildest and most unbelievable story I have to tell about living at the edge of a mountain is the morning some years back when first moving here that I looked out the front of the house and saw this creature ambling across the front yard. It was an albino skunk. This was a huge cat too. He was solid white with a black stripe going down his back. John has never believed this story, but I swear it to be true. I haven't seen him since then, only that one time, but I suppose he is around here somewhere even though some would say no to it.
On a side note Sally......the Lysimachia Firecracker is in full bloom right now. I weeded around its base on Friday evening. I love it and thank you very much for sharing it with me.
Take good care all.
Ruby
Usually during drought we have a deer or two come to drink from the pool or birdbath, usually without stopping for anymore than a possible nibble. Ric
Happy, I SAW two birds eat my Sedum 'Neon' which is almost identical to the Autumn Joy except that the flower color is a fuschia pink. Absolutely amazing!