RE: stem rot / Captan

Deb,
I did use only Borax last year and it worked for stem rot. I believe that it
was Steve Jepesen that pointed out the pH of 9.5 that gives it some
antiseptic qualities. As I stated earlier, I used it to wick away moisture
and clean my hides before tanning them for market. It was just a hunch to
use it on pumpkin stems.
I have done some research since on Borax.
It's chemistry is sodium tetraborate. It is obviously been sold as a laundry
detergent. We use it to soften the water as well in the laundry.
I did discover that it is used as an ANTIFUNGAL in cellulose insulation.
It is used as an insecticide, mainly for flea control.
My dad said my grandpa used it for thrush on the animal's hooves.
I like the way it sticks to the stem and dries it out...even after a rain.
I like that it is $3.79 for a whole box.
You can get it on your hands and skin but not the eyes.
For any of you folks that have a nuclear reactor in your garage. The
compound is used as a neutron absorber in spent fuel rods to end the chain
reaction.

Steve Haberman



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pumpkins@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of
Debbie Runkle
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 10:47 PM
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Subject: Re: stem rot / Captan

Do you use only Borax?

Debbie





________________________________
From: Steve Minor <minok2014@yahoo.com>
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Sent: Tue, August 24, 2010 7:39:54 PM
Subject: Re: stem rot / Captan

Steve Haberman is da man, yes he is.  Borax is always in my arsenal now for
splits, fungus, infection, foaming stump--you name it.

Thanks again, Mr. Haberman.

Steve Minor.

--- On Tue, 8/24/10, Russ Stokes <rstokes@wi.rr.com> wrote:

From: Russ Stokes <rstokes@wi.rr.com>
Subject: Re: stem rot / Captan
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Date: Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 8:18 PM

Last year and again this year, one of the Steve's (my apologies)  in the
group
recommended Borax.  It works! I tried it again this year on a pumpkin whose
stem started to rot.  I carefully cut away the soft mushy tissue and just
shook a handful of the 20 mule team variety on the wound, it dried up the
infection and after several rainfalls it appears that it is still on the
stem.  In my opinion, I think it's a safe and easy way to cure this type of
problem.  I am thinking that Borax has a high PH and that is why it stops
the
disease.  Most diseases like thrive better in acidic type conditions. Just a
guess though.

Russ
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