[nafex] Treating Fire Blight organically

david.maxwell at dal.ca david.maxwell at dal.ca
Sun Apr 8 20:57:08 EDT 2012


You have tweaked an interesting thought in my head.  I don't know how effective copper paint 
would be for fire blight, (which is actually a bacterial infection, with a Pseudomonas), but 
copper is unquestionably effective against fungal infections, such as cankers.  We sailors 
use a copper bottom paint as an antifouling on the bottoms of our boats, to inhibit the growth 
of marine creatures, (barnacles, seaweeds, etc.).  I wonder whether this would work to kill off 
cankers?  (It would be a lot more persistent than painting the canker with Bordeaux solution).  
Anybody ever tried this?

> Jim,
> 
> Interesting.  Sounds like the paint seals the bacteria in and keeps it
> from spreading.
> 
> How about trying something like a metallic Rustoleum enamel paint with
> copper compounds in it. It may give the same protection you are
> getting now, and the copper compounds may have an effect on the
> bacteria causing the problem.
> 
> Dan
> 
> On 4/7/2012 8:17 PM, Jim Fruth wrote:
> >      Al Yelvington said/asked, "I'd certainly appreciate any
> >      comments and
> > recommendations.  I do NOT have a spray license, so un-restricted
> > organic solutions (proven) would be greatly appreciated."
> >
> >      I treat Fire Blight with enamel paint!  My Yellow Transparent
> >      Apple tree
> > was infected with Fire Blight over a dozen years ago.  I tried the
> > recommended spray first, then pruning.  Neither worked so I sprayed
> > the infected bark with enamel paint (enamel finds its way into bark
> > folds better than latex).  The paint didn't cure anything but it
> > stopped (slowed?) branches from dying.  Every year I lose a couple
> > inches in height and every year I add more paint.  Production has
> > been going up every year because the side branches keep growing. 
> > Fire Blight will (probably?) eventually kill the tree, but had I
> > done nothing, it would have already died.
> >      I side effect of painting the infection is that the paint
> >      prevents the
> > disease from spreading to other trees.
> >
> > Jim Fruth
> > Brambleberry Fruit Farm
> > 4002 Davis Street
> > Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
> >
> > __________________
> > nafex mailing list
> > nafex at lists.ibiblio.org
> > aubscribe/unsubscribe|user config|list info:
> > http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex
> > message archives
> > http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex
> > Google message archive search:
> > site: lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/nafex [searchstring]
> > nafex list mirror sites:
> > http://nafexlist.blogspot.com/
> > http://groups.google.com/group/nafexlist
> > https://sites.google.com/site/nafexmailinglist
> > Avant Geared  http://www.avantgeared.com
> >
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 8.5.455 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/4319 - Release Date:
> > 04/06/12 19:00:00
> >
> 
> 




More information about the nafex mailing list