Re: Baking Soda/Powdery Mildew
Rebecca,
Another approach, if you are not opposed to using chemicals, is to go to
your local ag extension office and inquire into training and the test to
become a private applicator in your state. Commercial farmers have private
applicators licences which gives them training and access to restricted use
fungicides. In Connecticut you must read a couple books and take the test
which is mostly common sense questions. A private applicator can only spray
his own crops, or can spray for other farmers for trade of services.You can't
spray for hire....that is a more rigorous training and testing program to
receive a commercial applicators licence. The training is very valuable. It
probably wouldn't take more than a couple weeks to obtain a licence, although
it may vary in some states. Once you have your licence, you will be more
knowledgeable with pesticide use and applying it properly. My opinion is that
two of the most effective fungicides you can buy for powdery mildew
(registered for pumpkins) is quadris( comes in gallons)extremely expensive
but highly effective(apx $340 per gallon). It will treat apx 12 acres so you
would have a lifetime supply. The other is called Nova (wettable powder).
Alternating these two fungicdes according to label instructions will
virtually knock out powdery mildew. They are slightly systemic so 100%
coverage of leaf undersides is not absolutely essential. The best procedure
is to not apply until you see the very first signs of the mildew on the
undersides of the older leaves. If you overuse these, you may develope some
resistance. These chemicals have a mild curative effect too. In our area, I
can usually wait until late july or early august before first application.
Most field pumpkins are hit harder by PM than the atlantic giants, although
they both get it. These two fungicides are a relatively newer class of
chemicals that are probably less toxic than captan and daconil and are much
more effective. They are,however, still restricted use chemicals and must be
handled with the utmost respect and care. I grow 25 acres of field pumpkins
and grow a few AGs as time permits.
Wayne Hackney (pumkinguy)
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