[Steveharford]

Heres an interesting and new idea to prevent rust using bits of copper wire. I might give it a go next year. I thought I would start a new post so that it could be searched for in future. Thanks to The Garlic Farm.  http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/garlic_farmers_blog.aspx

[jaydig]

This year, for the first time, my garlic suffered badly with rust, reducing the crop severely. I wasn't going to bother growing any for next year, but I will try this and see if it works.

[bravemurphy]

I grow a fair bit of garlic and a will try this with half the crop and leave the rest to grow as normal.

[mumofstig]

I'll wait until you've tried it and can tell me that it works 

[bravemurphy]

It does sound very bizarre because plants and copper don't mix 

[JayG]

Intriguing, but a shame the article only had one person's recommendation of the technique, and also no explanation of how it might work. 

All I can think of is that there will be a weak electrolytic reaction (as in using copper rings as a slug deterrent) and almost certainly a chemical reaction between the copper and the sap in the stems, which would produce at least one copper salt or compound which would then be transported throughout the plant (it would be interesting to know how much of the copper wires are left un-corroded at the end of the growing season.)

Hard to imagine the former preventing rust, the latter may replicate the effects of using Bordeaux mixture, which works by taking advantage of the toxicity of copper sulphate to many fungi...

[sunshineband]

Intriguing, but a shame the article only had one person's recommendation of the technique, and also no explanation of how it might work. 

All I can think of is that there will be a weak electrolytic reaction (as in using copper rings as a slug deterrent) and almost certainly a chemical reaction between the copper and the sap in the stems, which would produce at least one copper salt or compound which would then be transported throughout the plant (it would be interesting to know how much of the copper wires are left un-corroded at the end of the growing season.)

Hard to imagine the former preventing rust, the latter may replicate the effects of using Bordeaux mixture, which works by taking advantage of the toxicity of copper sulphate to many fungi...

[/color]

I was wondering the same.

I might try using Bordeaux mixture in fact.........

[Steveharford]

it had crossed my mind too but I concluded that the spray would run off the leaves and therefore be ineffective.

[sunshineband]

it had crossed my mind too but I concluded that the spray would run off the leaves and therefore be ineffective.

It seems to stay on potato and tomato leaves well enough. I know garlic leaves are smoother, but enough might be absorbed.

[Gardener and Rabbit]

Was just wondering if anyone did try this method out, and with what results?