cost vs benefit of prophylactic treatments

ljp · May 11, 2012

I see people recommending prophylactic treatments using various fungicides and pesticides. Is this really cost effective for the home gardener or is the object just to get tomatoes at any price. I'm just wondering how the numbers work.

I don't get enough production to justify a fungicide. However, disease hasn't been a major problem (other than a late season hit of late blight one year).

Dewayne mater · May 11, 2012

I think that depends entirely on your micro climate and growing experience. In Texas, the south and other hot humid places, failing to be proactive likely means you get zero production whereas a proactive approach can result in a bountiful harvest. If you are lucky enough to not have a disease issue, then, good for you, don't bother. However, there are several biological agents you can spray that are helpful and worth it in my opinion, such as actinovate, also seaweed and other foliar feeds are a good. By the use of the helpful sprays, you may be able to increase your production substantially. Good luck.

Dewayne mater

jlwalke12 · May 11, 2012

I use a product called Cease. It seems to work very well.

May 11, 2012	#1
ljp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 189	cost vs benefit of prophylactic treatments I see people recommending prophylactic treatments using various fungicides and pesticides. Is this really cost effective for the home gardener or is the object just to get tomatoes at any price. I'm just wondering how the numbers work. I don't get enough production to justify a fungicide. However, disease hasn't been a major problem (other than a late season hit of late blight one year).

May 11, 2012	#2
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	I think that depends entirely on your micro climate and growing experience. In Texas, the south and other hot humid places, failing to be proactive likely means you get zero production whereas a proactive approach can result in a bountiful harvest. If you are lucky enough to not have a disease issue, then, good for you, don't bother. However, there are several biological agents you can spray that are helpful and worth it in my opinion, such as actinovate, also seaweed and other foliar feeds are a good. By the use of the helpful sprays, you may be able to increase your production substantially. Good luck. Dewayne mater

May 11, 2012	#3
jlwalke12 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 29	I use a product called Cease. It seems to work very well.