Re: Watering vines

Hi all-
On the subject of powdery mildew, I've had this problem in my patch every
year and not just the pumpkins, everything seems to have it by summers end.
Zucchini, bean plants, even my sunflowers and giant zinnias all in the same
area. I am starting  to think that the problem is A) too much shade & B) the
problem is in my soil -I've yet to investigate testing for this in soil..??
any answers?? Another question I have , is powdery mildew a virus or a
bacteria??  Any how, I addressed this issue at the recent growers' meeting
in Elk Grove and one So. Calif. grower, treated powdery mildew by spraying
the plants w/ plain baking soda and water, applied in a hose-end sprayer.
Ratio of soda to water?? "about a cup or so, mixed w/ the water", he said it
helped get rid of the stuff and something about this sure made his plants
healthier than usual....so, I will give it a try this year-- But I always
use the soaker method to water after plants are up and especially after
flowers appear. I only over-head water seed beds until germination
occurs,(Pumpkins are started inside in peat pots)  then in goes the soakers.
I hope to hear more solutions or discussions on this problem w/ the powdery
mildew--I'll try just about anything.  Thanks to all for your sharing of
experience.
Rebecca Steward
Martinez, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Beth Rado" <rado1000@hotmail.com>
To: <pumpkins@hort.net>
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2003 4:55 PM
Subject: Re: Watering vines


> >...and get rid of powdery mildew.  Well, it may help, but I found it
>will
> >not eliminate mildew- ....  You'll get it regardless of watering
> > >technique.
>
> I have a note on my pumpkin calendar to spray for powdery mildew no later
> than August 5.  It usually starts here between August 5th & 10th, and is
> thriving by the 15th.  Last year I used Daconil on July 29, and saw zero
> powdery mildew for three weeks - well past the time it usually gets bad.
> For a variety of reasons, I didn't spray again, but I believe if I had
> sprayed regularly the p.m. could be prevented.  (Isn't that what Pumkinguy
> always said??)
>
> You have to remember to shake the Daconil way more than most products
> (thanks, Dale!) and most importantly, spray BEFORE you see the mildew.
Once
> it starts, you will never get ahead of it.
>
> Beth
>
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