sulfur or copper fungicide

nancycee · July 10, 2012

What is the better of the two to use? I have been using sulfur,but have read about copper.Whats the better choice?Thanks in advance,you guys have been so helpful.Just reading all the info on here has saved my garden for sure.Now I have to hopefully get some veggies out of it!

Cole_Robbie · July 10, 2012

Both, in a weekly rotation. Add a round of Daconil, too. Copper kills bacterial problems, too, as well as fungal. But it's always best to use a rotation of different fungicides, or else whatever you have can develop resistance. Also, remember the sulfur will burn the leaves if applied in hot sun at temps over about 85 degrees.

amideutch · July 11, 2012

IF your growing with Myco's (mycorrhiza) or any other beneficial fungi/bacteria stay away from the copper. There are other fungicides out there, EXEL LG and Actinovate to name a few. Ami

JamesL · July 11, 2012

Ami,
So the copper will kill the myco's? I assume any runoff from the spray that gets in the container or soil?
Good to know. Haven't used copper yet but I do have it on hand.

Sun City Linda · July 11, 2012

Ami- I like copper pretty well and have had good results with it. My plants are in Earth Boxes with covers on top. Is copper run off the problem or absorbtion through the leaves? thanks.

Mikedog · July 11, 2012

Be sure to use the correct amounts of Daconil. I stunned some with too strong a mixture. I have read it's a carcinagin so I think I will avoid it. Too many cancers in our family.

Cole_Robbie · July 11, 2012

Copper kills bacteria, including the bacteria of the fungicide "Serenade," which uses bacillus bacteria as its active ingredient.

amideutch · July 12, 2012

Copper and Sulfur fungicides are used as protectants and once the plant is infected they are of no use. There have been issues with copper and the environment and certain formulations are toxic to beneficials.
If you want to go the inorganic route Daconil would be a better choice as a protectant fungicide. Ami

JamesL · July 12, 2012

Ami, thanks. I did not know that about copper and sulfur.

ca1ore · July 16, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by amideutch

Copper and Sulfur fungicides are used as protectants and once the plant is infected they are of no use.

Not clear to me why that would be the case. Since the blight spores travel through the air, wouldn't a protectant fungicide work just as well for those leaves that are not infected on the plant? Or does the fungus spread from within the plant (didn't think it did)?

amideutch · July 17, 2012

Quote:

Not clear to me why that would be the case. Since the blight spores travel through the air, wouldn't a protectant fungicide work just as well for those leaves that are not infected on the plant? Or does the fungus spread from within the plant (didn't think it did)?

The point I was trying to make is that if a plant is infected you don't treat it with a protectant to eradicate the disease. What you want is a contact or systemic fungicide and you treat all the plants. Once that is done then you can apply your protectants to prevent further infection.

We here at TVille stress disease prevention rather than waiting till you have it to treat it. Some diseases do spread from within once the plants are infected. It's just a matter of being able to identify the disease you have. Ami

July 10, 2012	#1
nancycee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: nyc Posts: 7	sulfur or copper fungicide What is the better of the two to use? I have been using sulfur,but have read about copper.Whats the better choice?Thanks in advance,you guys have been so helpful.Just reading all the info on here has saved my garden for sure.Now I have to hopefully get some veggies out of it!

July 11, 2012	#3
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	IF your growing with Myco's (mycorrhiza) or any other beneficial fungi/bacteria stay away from the copper. There are other fungicides out there, EXEL LG and Actinovate to name a few. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

July 12, 2012	#8
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Copper and Sulfur fungicides are used as protectants and once the plant is infected they are of no use. There have been issues with copper and the environment and certain formulations are toxic to beneficials. If you want to go the inorganic route Daconil would be a better choice as a protectant fungicide. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

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July 10, 2012	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Both, in a weekly rotation. Add a round of Daconil, too. Copper kills bacterial problems, too, as well as fungal. But it's always best to use a rotation of different fungicides, or else whatever you have can develop resistance. Also, remember the sulfur will burn the leaves if applied in hot sun at temps over about 85 degrees.

July 11, 2012	#4
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Ami, So the copper will kill the myco's? I assume any runoff from the spray that gets in the container or soil? Good to know. Haven't used copper yet but I do have it on hand.

July 11, 2012	#5
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	Ami- I like copper pretty well and have had good results with it. My plants are in Earth Boxes with covers on top. Is copper run off the problem or absorbtion through the leaves? thanks.

July 11, 2012	#6
Mikedog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Macon, GA Posts: 49	Be sure to use the correct amounts of Daconil. I stunned some with too strong a mixture. I have read it's a carcinagin so I think I will avoid it. Too many cancers in our family.