Widespread humidity based problem

[Kash]

There seems to be an epidemic occuring in the south west sydney area atm.At least 4 peoples crops I know are all dead or dying.

These are all very experienced growers, some of whom are horticulturists, spreading from the southern outskirts to the mid south west. It has been suggested it could be a type of Fusarium, or even elephants foot , which usually impacts capsicums.

It is a rapid moving disease which kills the plant within 2-3 days of first signs.

The first signs will be leaves dropping off plant, yellowing of leaves and finally total wilt as the plant tries to suck nutrience and water from the leaves.

So it seems to be effecting the plants ability to take up and utilise water and nutrients, which would indicate a root disease.

Different strains handle it differently.

 

My advice is if you get this symptoms, is this:

 

a) have as little water in your grow room as possible

use moisture collectors

c) drop watering back to every 3-4 hours if possible

D)cover your tank with something that acts as a lid

e) run your room at less than full capacity

f) run a blow heater to dry out air at regular intervals as much as possible.

g) if you have an air conditioner in your room run it in the dark period as well.

h)if your about to transplant anything into a flood drain system, i would seriously consider a vermiculit/perlite drip system with as small as possible resevoir.

 

If anyone knows anything that can help it would be of great help.

 

The growers I know have tried: oxy plus, bio bugs, fongarid, rhizotonic etc etc , and all use superthrive and have at least 7- 10 years experience respectively.

 

The only thing that comforts them is knowing that they are not alone ..

 

 

 

regards

 

pat

Edited January 27, 2003 by Kash

[jackfrost]

There was heaps of different mould strains because of the drought around xmas time. some seemed to attack roots, while others the buds. Seems to be better now were had some rainfall.

 

Advice:-

 

UV filter on the resi (dont use organic nutes)

 

ozone gene on the growroom

 

charcoal filter on the air in

 

de-humidifier going in the room all the time (you can buy a humidty thermostat from UK hydroshops) and set it at 40%.

 

 

These steps seems to stop mould dead...nothing worse than losing your hole crop just before harvest.

 

It should return to normal coming into winter