RE: stem rot / Captan

Good information, particularly as a neutron absorber for spent fuel rods.  I was wondering what I was going to do with them.

Seriously, I am going to pass onto some growers I know that grow greenhouse tomatoes, one big problem is botrytis infection. It will be interesting to see how well it works.

Russ Stokes
---- Steve Haberman <shaberman@insmgt.com> wrote: 
> 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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