Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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May 30, 2018 | #31 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 6,793
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I find it interesting to read what people do in so many different situations, whether they grow organic or not, north, south, farm, garden.... I've learned a lot of helpful things from people who do things differently than I do... whether they do spray or not, I'm grateful to hear their experience. So I'm glad this is not a forum where there are a lot of arguments about "should" or "should not".
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May 30, 2018 | #32 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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I don't spray at all. I've mostly learned from here how to be more observant and pro-active. I have the basic arsenal of reactive ingredients on hand like a fresh sticky trap when seed starting. Just a few gnats early on that dilute peroxide took care of or may have been fruit flies. Baking soda, potassium bicarbonate, Neem/soap. A mosquito dunk if needed. Aphids and fungus gnats last year, none this year. Just spotted my first tortoise beetle last night but I just pick those off. An early battle with powdery mildew due to so much damp rainy weather seems under control now using PB/soap. I read all climate/zone issues. I don't think any spraying needs defending especially in moderation. Even a bad tomato year like last season I had plenty of fruit all season. |
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May 30, 2018 | #33 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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May 30, 2018 | #34 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3,886
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BTW I just planted out all my maters, peppers and eggplants over the last 3 days and am pooped out Linda |
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May 30, 2018 | #35 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3
Posts: 3,218
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I started out gardening all organic and that was just fine for about the first six years. Then, two years in a row, I lost all my tomato plants to various diseases just as the tomatoes were getting to full sized greens. I put in way too many months of effort and coddling them to waste my time on a failed crop with nothing to show for it. We don't generally have long stretches of humid weather, so I can get by with spraying Daconil about every two or three weeks, depending on rainfall. On average, I only use it about 3 times each season. I also use Bill's bleach spray after heavy rains if I see anything suspicious. I quit with the Daconil in August, because chances are any damage starting at that time will keep pace with the ending of my season anyway. My hat is off to anyone who can consistently get their tomatoes ripe without using any chemical methods. I tried, and for me, it's not worth the chance. I think everyone's local conditions, climate, management methods, and of course LUCK differ a bit from year to year, so you need to do what feels right for your situation.
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Dee ************** |
May 30, 2018 | #36 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,194
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My mom & I were talking about our younger years, growing tomatoes, with never any disease.
Now as of last year Septoria cropped up in my garden. I pull leaves and do some spraying. Also dusting with DE when called for. Not terribly often; must schedule it around rains, and I'm not diligent, but I reluctantly do it. My mom just pulls leaves and got about one month less harvest than I did. Nan |
May 30, 2018 | #37 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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May 30, 2018 | #38 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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May 31, 2018 | #39 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: 7B
Posts: 281
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