To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Milk spray - powdery mildew
Date: Fri, 01 Jul 2005 15:07:06 -0400
Hello,
On Fri, 1 Jul 2005 10:08:25 -0700, Stephen Sadler <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>
wrote:
Any fruit yet from your Court Pendu Plat? I readthe variety may go
back to> Roman times. I also read
sometimes of people 'discovering' milk spray - whichalso may go back to
Roman times....
Hello,
We had our first apples last season and they were very good. Although
they were blemished by powdery mildew. So far this season the fruit shows
no PM damage. Although all blossoms did not set fruit, which is also a PM
effect.
I hope to collect a few of the ancient apple varieties that are still
around today; Api (Lady), Decio, Annurca, Limoncella, along with the Court
Pendu Plat, but they are hard to find (Lady is easy to find).
Though... If all ancient Italian apples are PM sensitive it would be a
battle for me in this location.
I have read a number of reasons as to why milk works on PM; acidifies leaf
surface, proteins in the milk, and now, helps anti-fungal organismns
thrive.
Some apple varieties just do not react well when exposed to PM. From what
I have read, Jonathan, Granny Smith, Mutsu (Crispin), Rome, Cortland,
Baldwin, Monroe and Idared are very susceptible to PM and should be
avoided if PM is a problem in the area due to poor air drainage.
I am in the low point of the river valley, so I have poor air drainage.
PM only seems to bother my Court Pendu Plat, so I guess that could be
added to the above list. My Alexis crab, Boskatong crab, and Snow apple
are not bothered by PM at all in thislocation.
For now, the milk spray is working great and that bodes well for my
collection..
Later,
Tom
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