which preventative sprays????

threex · April 3, 2014

anyone have some input on these three sprays im considering this year as a preventative measure to keep my crops in order.... Im not sure what to use to keep the bugs and diseases away.
Oxidate from Johnny seeds
Pyganic from Johnny seeds
and Daconil from Home Depot

RayR · April 3, 2014

What to use depends on the species of plant and the specific pathogens and pests that plague them in your area. No one product is effective against everything and there is whole bunch of other products besides those three.

A number of people here use Daconil (Chlorothalonil) as a chemical preventative against foliar fungal pathogens on tomato, mainly Early Blight and Septoria.

Oxidate (27% hydrogen dioxide) is supposed to be effective against Botrytis gray mold, mixed results on other fungal pathogens. Their new version Oxidate 2.0 formula has the addtion of 2% peroxyacedic acid. They also have an more cost effective RTU version for home gardeners that doesn't require HAZMAT shipping. The concentrated version is dangerous to handle without necessary precautions by the user. Haven't heard any reports yet here on TV from anyone who has used it.

Pyganic is a brand of pyrethrin insecticide. Other brands out there that are the same thing or similar active ingredient (Pyrethrum) in smaller quantities. Works good as a knock down insecticide. I have some, wouldn't use it again unless there is an emergency infestation problem. It also kills beneficials if you spray it on them.

threex · April 4, 2014

Thanks I'm mainly concerned with blight, stinkbugs, aphids and mildews as they were my main problems last year. I didn't take a proactive approach and they got the best of me. Would like to try to use a pump sprayer this year and stay ahead of the problem if possible.

b54red · April 4, 2014

Don't worry if you get ahead of one problem another one will pop up.

Bill

feldon30 · April 4, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by threex

Thanks I'm mainly concerned with blight, stinkbugs, aphids and mildews as they were my main problems last year. I didn't take a proactive approach and they got the best of me. Would like to try to use a pump sprayer this year and stay ahead of the problem if possible.

Unfortunately I don't know a gentle solution for stink bugs. They are like flying Sherman tanks. I go out with a portable vacuum cleaner (Dustbuster) and try to pick up the ones I can. If I had to use chemicals, I'd go for Ortho Bug-B-Gon Max but it's not even in the same zip code as organic.

kayrobbins · April 4, 2014

If you can catch the stink bugs in the nymph stage they are easy to kill with insecticidal soap but after that it is a battle. I use to knock them in bowl of soapy water but they have become militant in my garden. They fly at me like a bird protecting a nest.

I finally found something that works pretty well. It is EcoSmart Organic Garden Insect Killer. It has rosemary, peppermint, thyme and clove oil in it. You would think it would smell pretty good with all those herbs but it doesn't. If you spray a stink bug or leaf footed bug they start staggering around like a drunk and within a few minutes they are dead.

RayR · April 4, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by threex

Thanks I'm mainly concerned with blight, stinkbugs, aphids and mildews as they were my main problems last year. I didn't take a proactive approach and they got the best of me. Would like to try to use a pump sprayer this year and stay ahead of the problem if possible.

How big is your garden?

feldon30 · April 4, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayrobbins

I finally found something that works pretty well. It is EcoSmart Organic Garden Insect Killer. It has rosemary, peppermint, thyme and clove oil in it. You would think it would smell pretty good with all those herbs but it doesn't. If you spray a stink bug or leaf footed bug they start staggering around like a drunk and within a few minutes they are dead.

Wow I am going to buy that stuff by the gallon.

RootLoops · April 4, 2014

I use a mix of molasses, hot peppers(hottest you can find), garlic, neem oil(or veg oil if out of neem), and un scented dish soap. For stink bugs google "2 litre bottle stink bug trap" I'm gonna try it out this year and see how it does along with hand picking. Keeping space between your plants and pruning will make them easier to find. The molasses in the mix keeps caterpillars and tomato worms away. The soap and oil will kill soft bodied stuff and the neem and garlic help with fungal stuff

threex · April 6, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayR

How big is your garden?

I have 6 15x4 raised beds

clkeiper · April 7, 2014

We use Oxidate. My FIL bought it for the raspberries a few years ago (and I thought he was crazy! the stuff is expensive I think he paid $200.00 for a 5 gallon container of it) We love it. It works very well for controlling the mold on raspberries in the wet humid weather and it is same day entry I do believe. I think it would be usable in the tomatoes, too.

Pyganics is also VERY expensive. I think the last time I looked at it it was also in the 500-700.00 range for a gallon, but I have no idea what the usage rate is, we couldn't justify the initial cost to find out.

SteveS · April 7, 2014

RootLoops, I tried the 2 liter bottle stinkbug traps last year.
I wouldn't waste your time.
I don't think I saw 1 stinkbug in the 8-10 traps I put out.
I had a stinkbug lure in 2 of the traps also.
Heck, I don't think I even saw a stinkbug near the traps.
I am going back to my cardboard sandwich traps this year.
Best of luck to you!

RootLoops · April 7, 2014

thanks for that info, could you elaborate on your cardboard traps? anything to help with stinkbugs is great!!!

RayR · April 7, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by threex

I have 6 15x4 raised beds

For the size of your garden you should look at more cost effective solutions.
For Early Blight and Septoria on Tomato I use Actinovate

For Powdery Mildew on cucurbits I've found Neem Oil and Organicide 3 in 1 to be effective controls.
Organicide 3 in 1 also works pretty well to control spider mites last season.
You can also look at a Potassium Bicarbonate fungicide for PM like GreenCure

If you have any plants that are subject to a Downy Mildew infection, Organicide Plant Doctor works excellent. Agri-Fos is another brand of the same fungicide. Monterey markets Agri-Fos in smaller quantities.

Don't have any experience with Stink Bugs, I've only seen a few of those last season.

threex · April 8, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayR

For the size of your garden you should look at more cost effective solutions.
For Early Blight and Septoria on Tomato I use Actinovate

For Powdery Mildew on cucurbits I've found Neem Oil and Organicide 3 in 1 to be effective controls.
Organicide 3 in 1 also works pretty well to control spider mites last season.
You can also look at a Potassium Bicarbonate fungicide for PM like GreenCure

If you have any plants that are subject to a Downy Mildew infection, Organicide Plant Doctor works excellent. Agri-Fos is another brand of the same fungicide. Monterey markets Agri-Fos in smaller quantities.

Don't have any experience with Stink Bugs, I've only seen a few of those last season.

How does daconil measure up against these? The organocide reviews don't look that great on amazon. May try that actinovate though

April 3, 2014	#1
threex Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NJ Posts: 12	which preventative sprays???? anyone have some input on these three sprays im considering this year as a preventative measure to keep my crops in order.... Im not sure what to use to keep the bugs and diseases away. Oxidate from Johnny seeds Pyganic from Johnny seeds and Daconil from Home Depot

April 7, 2014	#11
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	We use Oxidate. My FIL bought it for the raspberries a few years ago (and I thought he was crazy! the stuff is expensive I think he paid $200.00 for a 5 gallon container of it) We love it. It works very well for controlling the mold on raspberries in the wet humid weather and it is same day entry I do believe. I think it would be usable in the tomatoes, too. Pyganics is also VERY expensive. I think the last time I looked at it it was also in the 500-700.00 range for a gallon, but I have no idea what the usage rate is, we couldn't justify the initial cost to find out. __________________ carolyn k

April 3, 2014	#2
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	What to use depends on the species of plant and the specific pathogens and pests that plague them in your area. No one product is effective against everything and there is whole bunch of other products besides those three. A number of people here use Daconil (Chlorothalonil) as a chemical preventative against foliar fungal pathogens on tomato, mainly Early Blight and Septoria. Oxidate (27% hydrogen dioxide) is supposed to be effective against Botrytis gray mold, mixed results on other fungal pathogens. Their new version Oxidate 2.0 formula has the addtion of 2% peroxyacedic acid. They also have an more cost effective RTU version for home gardeners that doesn't require HAZMAT shipping. The concentrated version is dangerous to handle without necessary precautions by the user. Haven't heard any reports yet here on TV from anyone who has used it. Pyganic is a brand of pyrethrin insecticide. Other brands out there that are the same thing or similar active ingredient (Pyrethrum) in smaller quantities. Works good as a knock down insecticide. I have some, wouldn't use it again unless there is an emergency infestation problem. It also kills beneficials if you spray it on them.

April 4, 2014	#3
threex Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NJ Posts: 12	Thanks I'm mainly concerned with blight, stinkbugs, aphids and mildews as they were my main problems last year. I didn't take a proactive approach and they got the best of me. Would like to try to use a pump sprayer this year and stay ahead of the problem if possible.

April 4, 2014	#4
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Don't worry if you get ahead of one problem another one will pop up. Bill

April 4, 2014	#6
kayrobbins Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 820	If you can catch the stink bugs in the nymph stage they are easy to kill with insecticidal soap but after that it is a battle. I use to knock them in bowl of soapy water but they have become militant in my garden. They fly at me like a bird protecting a nest. I finally found something that works pretty well. It is EcoSmart Organic Garden Insect Killer. It has rosemary, peppermint, thyme and clove oil in it. You would think it would smell pretty good with all those herbs but it doesn't. If you spray a stink bug or leaf footed bug they start staggering around like a drunk and within a few minutes they are dead.

April 4, 2014	#9
RootLoops Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: rienzi, ms Posts: 470	I use a mix of molasses, hot peppers(hottest you can find), garlic, neem oil(or veg oil if out of neem), and un scented dish soap. For stink bugs google "2 litre bottle stink bug trap" I'm gonna try it out this year and see how it does along with hand picking. Keeping space between your plants and pruning will make them easier to find. The molasses in the mix keeps caterpillars and tomato worms away. The soap and oil will kill soft bodied stuff and the neem and garlic help with fungal stuff

April 7, 2014	#12
SteveS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 123	RootLoops, I tried the 2 liter bottle stinkbug traps last year. I wouldn't waste your time. I don't think I saw 1 stinkbug in the 8-10 traps I put out. I had a stinkbug lure in 2 of the traps also. Heck, I don't think I even saw a stinkbug near the traps. I am going back to my cardboard sandwich traps this year. Best of luck to you!