Fingerlakespermaculture mailing list

[Sandra Repp <sjr37 AT cornell.edu>]

For Immediate Release: July 29, 2010
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
(607) 272-2292

Late Blight Found in Upstate NY

        

Tompkins
County Cornell Cooperative Extension has received a report that Late
Blight has been found upstate for the first time this year, in a home
garden in Norwich in Eastern NY.  Please note that, as of
this time, Late Blight has NOT been found in Tompkins
County!

        

Gardeners here may wish to apply a protective fungicide spray to tomatoes
and potatoes, according to Monika Roth, Agriculture Program Leader at
CCE-Tompkins.  Protective sprays include copper (organic) or daconil
(not organic).  When spraying, it is very important to get good
coverage as an infection can begin any place a spore lands that is not
protected.

        

Home
gardeners are advised to check tomato, potato and tomatillo plants weekly
for symptoms of Late Blight.  According to Roth, Late Blight
generally begins at the top the of the plant, not the bottom.  Leaf
samples can be taken to CCE-Tompkins at 615 Willow Avenue in Ithaca for
confirmation, but tomato leaves brought in by gardeners thus far have all
been affected with Septoria Leaf Spot, not Late Blight, Roth says.

        

To learn more about Late Blight:

• Visit Cornell's NY State IPM website for Late Blight history, prevention, symptoms and more
• See pages by Dr. Meg McGrath, Cornell Plant Pathologist, on "Late Blight on Tomato" at: http://www.longislandhort.cornell.edu/vegpath/photos/lateblight_tomato.htm

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