[Auntiemogs]

Hope you don't mind me asking what has probably been asked before (if only I could find it!)? 

I've just received notification of a full Smith Period in my area (ME12).   

It's been raining on and off today so should I spray now or wait for a drier period and do I then have to keep spraying every ten days or so if there are no further warnings? 

Mags

[arugula]

There is some info here:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=56717.msg668473#msg668473

To be found on the Growing FAQ board.

Hope this helps, at least to start. 

I'm personally not familiar with spraying for blight as we tend not to suffer from it here.

[Auntiemogs]

Thanks Arugula  , I just wasn't sure about the 'keep up the regime of spraying every 10 days until the danger is past' bit.

I just popped out and gave them a bit of a spray but not sure if 'danger is past' means that if there are no more warnings, 'stand down' unless you get another warning.  I guess it does, I just don't want to overspray as the instructions say I can only apply (Bayer Disease Control) up to 4 times...

[Ema]

I'm going to get a box of this over the weekend. Anyone know how many spud plants or m2 1 sachet treats? Would like to work it out so I know how much to buy coz I don't like to visit garden centres too often for obvious reasons...

Another 40 days and most of your spuds will be ready to harvest anyway.

[angelavdavis]

Thanks Arugula  , I just wasn't sure about the 'keep up the regime of spraying every 10 days until the danger is past' bit.

I just popped out and gave them a bit of a spray but not sure if 'danger is past' means that if there are no more warnings, 'stand down' unless you get another warning.  I guess it does, I just don't want to overspray as the instructions say I can only apply (Bayer Disease Control) up to 4 times...

I think you should spray when you get notified of a Full Smith period.  Then every 10 days if you are continuing to receive the notifications.  This is what I am planning on doing anyway.  I sprayed last week when I got my first text message and if I receive another notification in the meantime, I will do so again 10 days after the first spray.

[AnneB]

Thanks Arugula  , I just wasn't sure about the 'keep up the regime of spraying every 10 days until the danger is past' bit.

I just popped out and gave them a bit of a spray but not sure if 'danger is past' means that if there are no more warnings, 'stand down' unless you get another warning.  I guess it does, I just don't want to overspray as the instructions say I can only apply (Bayer Disease Control) up to 4 times...

I think you should spray when you get notified of a Full Smith period.  Then every 10 days if you are continuing to receive the notifications.  This is what I am planning on doing anyway.  I sprayed last week when I got my first text message and if I receive another notification in the meantime, I will do so again 10 days after the first spray.

I wouldn't spray simply because of one Full Smith Period notification, if only because the Bayer stuff is so expensive.  I would do it if blight had been detected say in the next county, but none has been notified yet.  I accept it is a risk thing and losing a whole crop is soul destroying and more expensive than the cost of the spray, but just saying I wouldn't act on 1 Full Smith Period alone.

[DD.]

I endorse 110% what AnneB has just posted.

Given the current state of the blight maps I wouldn't dream of spraying yet.

[Auntiemogs]

Thanks folks!    Guess I'm getting a bit twitchy as I'm going away soon for a couple of weeks. 

I'll leave some instructions for my friend who's guarding looking after the garden for me.   

[compostqueen]

Blight is usual where I am but I don't spray at all. If blight strikes I cut the potato foliage off. A laborious job but I can't stand the thought of chemical sprays on my spuds.  That's why I grow my own. If I wanted chemical laden veg I could go to the supermarket 

[DD.]

We're not just talking spuds here.

If blight catches tomatoes - end of.  May just as well cut the foliage off, but there's nothing to rescue underneath!

In certain circumstances, it's spray or get nothing. At least I know what's gone on them, at the supermarket, you don't.

[Auntiemogs]

Yup, that's what was worrying me DD.  Have loads of toms in atm and would hate to lose them while I'm away... .