Narnia

Our Lady Finger bunches, some in bunch covers have what I think is called sooty blotch. Its mid winter here todays temp.54 deg. There's been a lot of rain for most of the year here -Any suggestions to lessen /erradicate the black patches on the fruit ?Thanks Thanks Thanks

Nicolas Naranja

copper

__________________
Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

Narnia

Thanks Nicholas,
Q. re copper :Is copper poisoness How does it stop sooty blotch? So far I haven't used poison around the bananas. IThe blotch isn't on the gold finger or cavindish. Does bunch covering help? Is high rainfall a factor in the cause?
Can you sugggest a natural remedy? Is the condition seasonal?
( Have you begun your next course of Ag. studies yet?)

Nicolas Naranja

Copper is an "organic" fungicide here in the US. I wouldn't necessarily want to eat a spoon full of it or get it in my eyes though. I also wouldn't over use it since it can build up in the soil over many many years. That of course assumes that the problem is fungal and not thrips scarring.

From personal experience I would say that they key to getting a blemish free bunch is to remove the male bud and deflower the bunch as soon as you can. Hit the bunch with a copper or serenade spray and cover the bunch. I suspect that there is some seasonal variation as I tended to have worse problems in the rainy season. And yes, I have started my PhD program.

__________________
Some people go bananas, I went plantains.