NOT trying to create an issue

neoguy · June 12, 2007

Espoma Tomato-Tone: Are organic gardeners using this

I know it is mostly organic, I've done some research here, there and who knows where. Just wondering.

Thanks

amideutch · June 13, 2007

No issue, thats why we have these forum's so we can talk about it. Heres a link that shows its ingredients.
http://www.espoma.com/content.aspx?t...goryID=4&id=23
Compared to "Miracle Grow" yes. They used a few inorganic ingredients to fill the holes the organic ingredients could not. It just depends on how far you want to go organically and what is acceptable to you as a individual. Ami

Tomstrees · June 13, 2007

So, what does copper do for tomatoes?
Does it clog the pores of the leaves to prevent foliage disease?

~ Tom

feldon30 · June 13, 2007

Copper is a fungicide (vs daconil which binds to receptor sites and is a fungus blocker rather than killer) and also helps (somewhat) with bacterial spot, speck, etc. But I don't see how it can accomplish those goals as a soil additive.

Also, there is a limit to how much copper you can spray on plants before you have toxicity problems.

neoguy · June 13, 2007

Thanks for the follow up. I know using the word organic in other forums on the web can create wild debate.

amideutch · June 13, 2007

neoguy, it did and thats why we have this forum. By the way feldon what are you doin here?

Copper use is not only limited in the use as a fungicide.
Copper is also used by the plant. All research indicates that copper is important in the breakdown of proteins in the growth processes of plants. Plants that are deficient in copper have an abnormally low rate of photosynthesis.
This is the reason to suggest that copper is involved in the reactions of oxidation reduction in plants. It is also apparent that copper is linked with iron and manganese in the formation of chlorophyll. And it seems that copper also has a regulating function when soil nitrogen is too high. Ami

feldon30 · June 13, 2007

I figured they were treating it as a micronutrient. Forgot to mention that in my post.

I have been leery about using chemicals other than Daconil. And except for Osmocote as a "base" fertilizer, I have not used any chemicals on my other plants. And I could replace Osmocote by buying bagged components like Bone Meal, Blood Meal, Epsom Salts, and Rock Phosphate not to mention Espoma Garden-Tone.

I'm not "on a mission" to be green or organic. I just like the concept of using as little as needed.

lumierefrere · June 14, 2007

I've used the Cornell Formula, copper spray and Daconil. Daconil wins hands down.

June 12, 2007	#1
neoguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 610	NOT trying to create an issue Espoma Tomato-Tone: Are organic gardeners using this I know it is mostly organic, I've done some research here, there and who knows where. Just wondering. Thanks

June 13, 2007	#2
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	No issue, thats why we have these forum's so we can talk about it. Heres a link that shows its ingredients. http://www.espoma.com/content.aspx?t...goryID=4&id=23 Compared to "Miracle Grow" yes. They used a few inorganic ingredients to fill the holes the organic ingredients could not. It just depends on how far you want to go organically and what is acceptable to you as a individual. 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!'

June 13, 2007	#3
Tomstrees Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Bayshore Posts: 3,848	So, what does copper do for tomatoes? Does it clog the pores of the leaves to prevent foliage disease? ~ Tom __________________ My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale

June 13, 2007	#6
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	neoguy, it did and thats why we have this forum. By the way feldon what are you doin here? Copper use is not only limited in the use as a fungicide. Copper is also used by the plant. All research indicates that copper is important in the breakdown of proteins in the growth processes of plants. Plants that are deficient in copper have an abnormally low rate of photosynthesis. This is the reason to suggest that copper is involved in the reactions of oxidation reduction in plants. It is also apparent that copper is linked with iron and manganese in the formation of chlorophyll. And it seems that copper also has a regulating function when soil nitrogen is too high. 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!' Last edited by amideutch; June 14, 2007 at 08:46 AM.

June 13, 2007	#4
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Copper is a fungicide (vs daconil which binds to receptor sites and is a fungus blocker rather than killer) and also helps (somewhat) with bacterial spot, speck, etc. But I don't see how it can accomplish those goals as a soil additive. Also, there is a limit to how much copper you can spray on plants before you have toxicity problems.

June 14, 2007	#8
lumierefrere Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Zone 4 NY Posts: 772	I've used the Cornell Formula, copper spray and Daconil. Daconil wins hands down.