Bordeaux Mixture - A Reminder

Most of you know that Bordeaux Mixture is being withdrawn from sale at the end of 2013.

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/potato.htm

Just a reminder to say start stocking up now, if you leave it till the end of next year, then chances are there will be a run on it & the shelves will be empty.

I've started already.

 

Hiya Ziggs.

No, I didn't know. Thanks for highlighting it Is there going to be an effective replacement?

 

There will be, probably very expensive and not that effective.
My cynical approach to all this withdrawn chemical nonsense.

You'll probably have to apply it, before attack, during, and after, just to be on the safe side.

 

Hiya Pete.

I tend to agree. It seems to me that the powers that be want to make it as difficult as they can for the amateur gardener. I remember a VERY effective pesticide called Tumblebug. I found it pretty much 100% effective when used on my flowers, Fuchsias, Petunias, that kinda thing. I used it for years, never did ME any harm

 

There are a few I remember, one called "Rapid" comes to mind, it was good for use on beans with blackfly, as it killed aphids but not ladybirds or lacewings or bees.

Nimrod T, fugicide, you could spray it or use it to water the plant, was great on mildew.

 

I remember one my father used, Benlate. A fungicide that he used quite widely. Particularly useful on his onions, as I recall. Still, I suppose that 'lead' us know best eh?
I'm gonna stock up on B/M, so far it's been the only measure I can take to keep the blight away, which until last year (when I first used B/M) ruined my toms every year

 

Wanna sell it?

 

Benlate was always good for adding to the water used for seed soaking before sowing.
I think I might have a small amount kicking around somewhere, used to come with something called activex, which was supposed to feed the plant as well.

 

Activex, blimey, it's just like old times Yes Pete, now you mention it I remember my father using it for seed sowing....

 

It is a pathetic excuse for withdrawing it, the whole point of BlightWatch is to keep people informed when there is a risk in their area so that you only spray when necessary. Last thing a gardener wants to do is to kill the plants off by overspraying. And as to its toxicity to humans, all you have to do is wash it off before eating

Shall we start a campaign of "Don't be so ridiculous"

 

Don't be ridiculous!

Our part is to tow the line... hmmm

 

Yeah, there's a kinda irony there...