Re: Phytophthora Root Rot
Audrey:
This is just an educated guess, but if fungicides have no effect; I bet heat
would. My thought would be to thoroughly heat sterilize the soil, either
through fire or whatever method is most feasible. then load the soil with good
compost, & other amendments. till what you can in, as soon as you are sure the
fungus is gone. then leave a lot of good compost on top, to rot down.
I always thought bleach was a good cure for most funguses. You might check to
see if a bleach solution would be effective. I would think that anything
(fungus treatment, such as bleach solution) that will leave the soil, would
have leached out by spring.
While it is nice (but annoying) to think of moving the garden to another patch;
I am afraid your problem may not be that simple. Fungus grows & spreads. If not
stopped, it will soon be at your other gardens. This might destroy your whole
landscape, in a worse case scenario.
Check out that fungus thoroughly. It is your enemy. Know your enemy & you have
a better chance of fighting it & winning or at least surviving.
TerryLynn
Audrey Hutton wrote:
> Greatly appreciate any information or experiences with Phytophthora Root
> Rot fungus. I haven't been able produce any AG in my garden for the past 3
> years due to this disease. Also, have had major problems producing decent
> broccoli, cauliflower, and a number of other crops due to a type of rot for
> about 6 years. I suspect this is related to the same fungal disease I have
> in my pumpkins.
>
> I sent a sample of the main root, vine, and leaves from an AG to the U of I
> plant clinic, and they determined that Phythphthora Fungus was present.
> Evidently fungicides have no effect on this disease, and I'll probably have
> to plant in a new location, at least for a number of years.
>
> Have plenty of good seeds, but they don't do me any good if I can't set any
> fruit and my vines die a slow painful death. Help!!
>
> Charles Tribout
> Decatur, IL
