Author Topic: Raised bed...Mildew  (Read 6496 times)

Offline FTB

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Raised bed...Mildew
« on: August 27, 2011, 08:47:34 AM »
Imade up 2 differant soil types,in two seperate beds.The one bed has a good amount of hardwood mixed in the soil.The beds have been made for about a month or better now.The bark has some type of white mildew on it.Now for what I can tell it's just surface mildew.I didn't dig into the bed in fear of mixing it in the soil.

My question is should I treat the soil before the seed goes in?If so with what?

Offline Brad

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Re: Raised bed...Mildew
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2011, 03:00:21 PM »
I think I would.  Personally, without knowing specifically what type of fungi we are dealing with, I would use a general purpose spray.  I think I would go with Kocide (metalic copper) and spray it down well.  Copper can be toxic if the levels get too high.  However, under normal circumstances this isn't a problem.  You might be able to find a general copper base fungicide at a local garden center.  (I think Kocide comes in 50# bags!)   

Based on the labels I can locate at the moment, a heavy dose for Kocide would be about .64 oz /gallon or 3.2 oz/5 gallons.  If an acre has 43,560 square feet and the spray rate on the label is 150 gallons/acre, we end up with a gallon for about 290 square feet.  With disease present, they suggest a heavy spray at 5-7 day intervals.  I personally would mix a gallon and spray it on your beds letting it soak in well.  This should burn off any fungi present on the surface and may help slightly with anything below the surface too.  You might want to repeat this again in a week just to feel safe and then plant after that. Or, you might plant and mulch and apply the second spray to the mulch.

I often use Kocide this way in the early spring to spray the beds before emergence.  This helps to kill off anything that wintered over and might affect the plants as they emerge through the mulch.

Which ever fungicide you use -if any- be sure to follow the label directions and go from there.


Disclaimer:  I am not an expert.  This is my best guess at trying to help somone solve a problem.  I accept no responsibility for any suitability of these recommendations for any purpose and specifically refuse all liability for any results including any potential damages for the following of these suggestions.

Offline FTB

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Re: Raised bed...Mildew
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2011, 05:13:40 PM »
Brad

 Thanks...Just trying to give the seeds a chance.....

 Is that seed of yours treated?I only got a pound off you,most of it is going in the woods...

 Thanks again ....Frank

Offline Brad

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Re: Raised bed...Mildew
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2011, 05:53:12 PM »
This year they will not be treated.  I haven't been able to get any Senator to treat them with.  What you do NOT want to use is Captan.  I've used other things in other years with ok results too.  The commercial growers treat a 100 pounds of seed with a couple ounces of Senator (just til it colors the seed) and then plant it.  After planting, they immediately run over and spray Quadris on top of the beds before the mulch goes on.  I can get Quadris.  As of a week or so ago I could only get it in liquid form and it was nearly $500 per gallon.  I"ll stick to Kocide I guess.

Offline FTB

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Re: Raised bed...Mildew
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2011, 09:50:41 PM »
Brad

  What is wrong with Captan? I'll have to go see what the lawn centers have.....Bonide..fungoil seams to be the best bet so far...I can buy that and captan in town.Heck I had to get the gypsum from a town about an hour from here.

Offline Brad

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Re: Raised bed...Mildew
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2011, 11:27:30 PM »
Captan is well known and documented (I believe) to reduce germination rates.  I tried it one year and had a nearly total loss.