[barbarella]

I also got an email today from Blightwatch.  Yesterday fulfilled Smith period criteria and today was a 'near miss' in BS20 where I live in Portishead in North Somerset.  I am surprised this has happened so early - last year it was last July/early August. 

It looks as if this becoming an annual problem so I shall have to keep the Dithane close at hand

[PennyS]

blight watch have just notified me of the first full Smiths period for here this year.      Now to watch - I can't spray today as it would be washed off as fast as it went on ...   

I've got the same.  But I can't/won't spray anyway as not allowed - I'm on an organic site.
I need to do some research about whether there is any organic solution - I suspect there isn't 

[barbarella]

We had a 'near miss' Smith period in BS20 (Portishead, N Somerset) - yesterday full Smith, today almost Smith.  Is it my imagination or is it a lot earlier this year?

[DD.]

*** crops must not be harvested for 7 days after application. That means that it is probably not practical to spay earlies.

I wonder if that just applies to crops that Dithane actually comes into contact with, such as tomatoes? Dithane is in effect an anti fungal surface dressing that won't come into contact with the spuds themselves.

Don't get me wrong here - I'd err on the side of caution.

[Aunt Sally]

But I can't/won't spray anyway as not allowed - I'm on an organic site.
I need to do some research about whether there is any organic solution - I suspect there isn't 

I thought organic gardeners could use Bordeaux mixture ?

[mumofstig]

 But I can't/won't spray anyway as not allowed - I'm on an organic site.
I need to do some research about whether there is any organic solution - I suspect there isn't  

Bordeaux mixture is classed as organic, I believe


oops sorry Aunty, how did I not read that 

[sarah-king]

What's a full smith period?

[Yorkie]

A full Smith period is when the weather has been at a certain temperature and humidity for a certain length of time - i.e. perfect blight growing conditions.

I'm not entirely sure whether a near miss means you're about to cross the line into full blight territory, or something else though

[DD.]

Have a look at the link in the second post of this thread. Gives you all the info & links you need.

[butterfly blue]

Can anyone sign or to blight watch or do you have to be a commercial grower?. Just went to sign up and asked about my business..don't want to get into trouble

[mumofstig]

any one can sign up..........I think there is an option for 'other' instead of a business cos that's what my details say

[butterfly blue]

Thanks mum of stig, i'd hate to be arrested by the potato police 

[DD.]

Put "Other" for your business and "Private" as company name.

[wighty]

Isn't Dithane one of those products on the 'will probably be removed next year' list?  I haven't had any confirmation, just mentions that 'it may be'.   Bordeaux Mix I thought was the same.  I'll ask around my chemical reps and report back.

[mumofstig]

Dithane has been reformulated, but now contains copper the same as bordeaux mixture....which is under review.
Bet your life we'll lose them both .............and have nothing left to use