Quote:
Originally Posted by Barb_FL
Kurt, Did you check your leaves/stems with a scope. I have what I think is TRM for awhile now and my plants don't look anywhere near that bad.
Last year when I finally got a cheap scope, I learned that TRM was the culprit to a lot of my problems over the years.
When I first noticed some of the bronze effect this year, I started foliar spraying with soluble kelp. I did it 4 nights in a row. I really think it helped a lot. I did not have any loss of fruit set. It has been way over a month since doing that. Maybe I should try again.
This year, I have not found any of the mature TRM, just eggs and juveniles (I guess). But somehow they are getting on the leaves/stems.
If it is something else, I would love to know what.
Even my 2 seedlings that I started on 3/1 had those same eggs. I sprayed them with Garden Safer neem oil extract.
Last night I sprayed all my younger plants like KARMA Pink, Rebel Alliance.
Last year, I really never got control of the TR mites, so I was just spraying up water in the middle area of the tomato plants. Seemed to keep fruit set going. This year, I bought a mister nozzle to do the same. (way more mist than the mister on the hose nozzle). I've done it once but need to start regularly doing it now that it is hot.
I hope Marsha chimes in for a diagnosis for you.
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All the plants are in containers by the pool,all screened in.I have numerous magnifying glasses,all strengths.The damage I see on my plants is old age.I use fresh material every year.Infected/ and carrying bugs will over winter up north,maybe die,
.Here bugs do not go away,unless you get something to eat them.Whether be it another bug,a microscopic beneficial,pesticide,sun whatever.All my spent mediums are taken and used in hardier plant growths,citrus mangoes,etc.They can take the beating.Solarizing is good for the folks who reuse medium year after year,amending as you go.For me after every season all tools,pots,tables,etc.gets nuked.reuse of infected/compromised mediums is counterproductive in my book.In 10 b,it is rough on most of your maters,the bugs got bugs,soil is alive all year.
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