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Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:00 am
by jayjaybee
My tomatoes have suffered tomato leaf mould for two consecutive years. I'm at the stage of cleaning the greenhouse in preparation for the spring sowings. I've previously used J's to disinfect the glass and aluminium structure but found it melted the plastic cushioning strips. Other than fully dismantling the greenhouse what can the forum advise I can do to get rid of the fungus causing the tomato problem this year. Mancozeb isn't available in the UK as a fungicide for the toms if they get infected, I believe. What can I disinfect the structure with, and if it recurring what can I treat the plants with?

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 3:20 pm
by tigerburnie
Did you use the Jeyes on the soil as well, I always used to and never had problems, you might also consider growing in pots and give the soil a break from growing the same crop in the same place.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:28 pm
by Westi
Hi jayjaybe!

I've used J's and never had a problem in my greenhouse. Interesting, I best look closer. I have my greenhouse on pavers so always grow in pots. (Soil under the area full of builders rubble). I work on a 2 year cycle, complete change of compost one year then a 50% change with slow release put in also the next. Yield remains the same and no diseases.

I'm sure one of the forum or the KG Team will be along soon to give you expert advice, but TB's idea of resting the soil for the mould spores to die off might be an idea to consider, or using the J's in the soil which I've not tried, but maybe pm him for dilution for that.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:36 pm
by robo
I bought a tin of jeyes fluid yesterday to do just that ,last year I had blight in my tomatoes first time in forty five years of growing them I normally plant straight into the beds in the pollytunnel but this year I'm undecided I will treat with jeyes but I might grow in pots

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 8:09 pm
by tigerburnie
Just need to remember the key rule in growing, crop rotation, I have heard of people planting tomatoes in the same soil every year, eventually problems arrive. My plan this year is to use the soil as it's a new greenhouse on soil that has not had anything growing in it the last 10 years, next year I will rotate the crops round. Tomatoes in one side and Sweetcorn in the other then year 3 will be containers, eventually the soil will either be replaced or left fallow for a couple of years and grow in containers.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:25 pm
by jayjaybee
Thank you all for the very sound advice. I hadn't considered J's on the soil, and I might reconsider the use of it on the glass and frame in desperation. I usually only use soapy water. The g/h is small by many standards, only 6x8, so crop rotation is difficult but I do replace the soil every two years. Looking at the pathology of tom leaf mould, I believe it infects the younger plants but manifests as the plant matures. I have, as yet, not found a proprietary fungicide to rid my g/have of the spores. Airing the g/h overnight is one advice, but when the nights are cold in the spring, this can prove difficult. Maybe a New Year's resolution could be 'I must keep a tidier greenhouse' and clean up debris more quickly. Pot growing, whilst an option, is unlikely, as I've just installed an underground irrigation system and it would be a shame to waste it.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 8:32 am
by Pa Snip
I use Jeyes fluid in a number of applications, including greenhouse cleaning, but am careful not to use it on plants.
If present any plants should be removed or well covered with something non porous whilst usage of Jeyes takes place

I have a feeling that some years ago the EU banned its use on soil, which may be why it does not mention that usage on the tin.
If its recommended usage includes cleaning & disinfecting tools & seed trays I certainly doubt it would be good for the worms and other soil bound bugs.

Its a definite rubber gloves job in this household

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 8:52 am
by PLUMPUDDING
If you use bottomless pots JJB the plants should be able to get the benefit of new compost and grow through to access the water when they are larger. I use Vertex on the glass. I think last year was bad for moulds being dull and damp for half the season but it improved with a good late summer. Like you say, keeping everything clean and removing any plant debris or diseased leaves is as good as anything.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:17 am
by jayjaybee
Pa Snip wrote:I use Jeyes fluid in a number of applications, including greenhouse cleaning, but am careful not to use it on plants.
If present any plants should be removed or well covered with something non porous whilst usage of Jeyes takes place

I have a feeling that some years ago the EU banned its use on soil, which may be why it does not mention that usage on the tin.
If its recommended usage includes cleaning & disinfecting tools & seed trays I certainly doubt it would be good for the worms and other soil bound bugs.

Its a definite rubber gloves job in this household


I agree rubber gloves and a nose peg, it's worse than creosote for that lingering smell. I also use J's for purifying smelly water butts.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:24 am
by jayjaybee
PLUMPUDDING wrote:If you use bottomless pots JJB the plants should be able to get the benefit of new compost and grow through to access the water when they are larger. I use Vertex on the glass. I think last year was bad for moulds being dull and damp for half the season but it improved with a good late summer. Like you say, keeping everything clean and removing any plant debris or diseased leaves is as good as anything.


Sound advice PP. Bottomley Potts all covered in spots! (Hairy McCLary from Donaldson'so Dairy, a book from my son's childhood) sorry couldn't resist- the clown in me burst out :D

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:16 pm
by Gerry
Regarding the EU ban on the use of Jeyes Fluid for soil sterilisation, as John Boy has pointed out on numerous occasions, the EU bans on a lot of things is brought about simply because the manufacturer refuses to pay the extortionate EU licencing fees. Now I don't know if this is the case with Jeyes, but it had previously been reccomended for soil sterilisation over many years. Another one on the banned list is Cheshunt Compound. I still use it, I make my own.

Regards,
Gerry.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 7:45 pm
by Westi
Interesting Gerry!

Now we are out of the EU I wonder if we will get these products in different packaging reverting to the old recommendations? England is a land of growers so a nice new market opening to them.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 8:08 pm
by Pa Snip
Westi wrote:Interesting Gerry!

Now we are out of the EU I wonder if we will get these products in different packaging reverting to the old recommendations? England is a land of growers so a nice new market opening to them.


But as yet we are not out. Still far from it.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 8:19 pm
by Westi
Bet those type of suppliers hit by those restrictions might be thinking it though Pa.

Must have lost loads of £££'s with those restrictions. Some of the restrictions were validated as mostly aimed at big land owners whose decisions affected the planet, our small usage doesn't make that foot print & this post is aimed at us, although most of us will abide by those rules anyway as we know the planet gives us what we crave - good food with no cost to the future generation.

Re: Greenhouse disinfection/tomato leaf mould

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 8:18 am
by Pa Snip
Westi wrote:Bet those type of suppliers hit by those restrictions might be thinking it though Pa.


I suspect you are right, but when we do finally exit will DERA revoke Brussels laws, very few if any I suspect. ~
Will manufacturers want to repackage & re-label products, not so sure.

When I worked for a manufacturing company all disinfectant type products had to be licensed by DERA (then known as MAFF), any changes had to be notified and the product re-submitted for testing. If it did not get approval and a product licence it could not be sold.

Can only see the bigger companies being able to afford the process.