Late Blight

Yes, it is possible toย get rid of late blight disease on tomato and potato plants using proven, organic and natural methods. Here’s how:

Late Blight Disease

Found on tomato and potato plants, late blight is caused by the fungusย Phytophthora infestansย and is common throughout the United States. True to its name, the disease occurs later in the growing season with symptoms often not appearing until after blossom.

Late blight first appears on the lower, older leaves as water-soaked, gray-green spots. As the disease matures, these spots darken and a white fungal growth forms on the undersides. Eventually the entire plant will become infected. Crops can be severely damaged

Unlike other fungal diseases, this plant problemย does not overwinter in the soil or on garden trash. Instead the spores are introduced by infected tubers, transplants or seeds. Wind will also carry the disease from nearby gardens. Warm temperatures (70-80หšF) and wet, humid conditions promote its rapid spread.

Note:ย Late Blightย was responsible for the Irish potato famine (1845-1849).

Treatment

  1. Plant resistant cultivars when available.
  2. Remove volunteers from the garden prior to planting and space plants far enough apart to allow for plenty of air circulation.
  3. Water in the early morning hours, or use soaker hoses, to give plants time to dry out during the day — avoid overhead irrigation.
  4. Destroy all tomato and potato debris after harvest (seeย Fall Garden Cleanup).

If symptoms are observed, treat plants with one of the following fungicides:

  • Apply a copper based fungicideย (2 oz/ gallon of water) every 7 days or less, following heavy rain or when the amount of disease is increasing rapidly. If possible, time applications soย that at least 12 hours of dry weather follows application.
  • Used as a foliar spray,ย Organocideยฎ Plant Doctorย will work its way through the entire plant to prevent fungal problems from occurring and attack existing many problems. Mixย 2 tsp/ gallon of water and spray at transplant or when direct seeded crops are at 2-4 true leaf, then at 1-2ย weekย intervals as required to control disease.
  • Safely treat fungal problemsย withย SERENADE Garden. Thisย broad spectrum bio-fungicide uses a patented strain ofย Bacillus subtilisย and is approvedย for organic use. Best of all, SERENADEย is completely non-toxic to honey bees and beneficial insects.
  • Montereyยฎ All Natural Disease Control is a ready-to-use blend of naturally occurring ingredients that control most plant foliar diseases. All stages of the disease is controlled, but applying before infestation gives the best results.