Serenade - EB

[Boo]

Has anyone used Serenade for fungal control for tomato plants?
I sprayed my tomato plants with Saranade last evening for EB -
Here's information from their website
"SERENADE Garden provides protection against a broad spectrum of the
most common fungal and bacterial garden diseases, yet is completely
non-toxic to bees and beneficial insects. It is so safe you can
confidently harvest and eat fruits and vegetables the very same day
they are treated. Unlike sulfur-based disease control products,
SERENADE Garden is non-irritating to skin and lungs. And, unlike neem
oil-based products that can injure plant foliage, there is no weather
or timing restrictions limiting its application."
<http://www.serenadegarden.com/> but the instructions on the
container label read
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Applicators and other handlers must wear:
• Long-sleeved shirt and long pants
• Waterproof gloves
• Shoes plus socks

As a general precaution, when exposed to high concentrations of a
living microbial product such as this, wear a dust particle mask
when mixing or applying this product. Repeated exposure to
high concentrations of microbial proteins can cause allergic
sensitization.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintaining PPE.
If no instructions are available, use detergent and hot water for
washables. Keep and wash PPE separately from other laundry.

So I went out and sprayed looking like I was messing with something as
dangerous as Agent Orange - very uncomfortable with all those clothes
on and a dust particle mask!
Since it's so safe to use, why all the precautions? I would love opinions on your use of Serenade.
Thanks
Boo in IN

[Sun City Linda]

I stopped useing it because it is such a pain in the _____. Same question as I and probably many others have had. LInda

[RayR]

I think the are just covering their _____ with the precautions in the remote possibility that someone might get sick or claim to have gotten sick from the live bacteria. Serenade is a specific strain of Bacillus subtilis, a very common species of bacteria that is harmless to humans and animals. Strains of Bacillus subtilis are present everywhere,, in the soil, even in your food. It is a bacteria that is responsible for food spoilage, it''s very effective at breaking down dead organic matter and it is anti-fungal. The many precautions may be a bit extreme but breathing in any microbial product or chemical in high concentration is probably a really bad idea anyway, so a dust particle mask is sensible at least.

[b54red]

I used it one summer and it was totally ineffective down here. I found it terribly expensive and I think Daconil works better though it is only a help in prevention. It might work up there where I'm sure your lower humidity and heat might make fungal diseases less virulent.

[Structure]

I've used it for a couple years now. I spray it without any special prep. Short sleeve, no respirator, etc. About the only complaint I have is that the smell is pretty bad and even after cleaning up I swear I can smell it for the rest of the day.

I agree with b54red that it isn't very effective. I think it helps, but by itself isn't enough. I alternate spraying 2 spray intervals with Actinovate and foliage feed, then one with Serenade. This works OK, but frankly, my "other" plot in the community garden that I spray with copper is better. Alas.

[Boo]

Thanks to everyone for your input. It only took about 6 weeks after setting my tomato plants in the garden for EB to show. I probably should start treating them as soon as they are set out but it's difficult for me to want to mess with a perfectly healthy looking plant.

Boo

[rsg2001]

Actually you should spray in a preventive manner - I have used Serenade for a few years now and find it works pretty well. I agree the smell is a bit of an annoyance, but I have found it a much less pungent smell than that of Daconil. If you wait till a plant is showing signs of disease, it's harder to get it under control.

I'd rather than use chemical pesticides and Serenade is a decent alternative. However, it's not the only thing I do. I use a harpin protein product every three weeks which I have found helpful in general health, Rootshield for stuff like Fusarium (I know it's not always effective according to what others have posted, but I've had a reduction in that disease since using it), and hot pepper wax spray for aphids/whiteflies.

[Boo]

I'm sure preventive is better and I'm considering all options as a fungicide for EB, so I appreciate all the suggestions.

Has anyone tried using GreenCure?

Thanks again!

Boo in IN