THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507060155
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
BLIGHT IS A common problem with tomatoes. Bottom leaves turn yellow, and the problem moves up the plant, sometimes destroying it. In this area, it's usually a disease called Early Blight, say Virginia Tech pathologists.
You should immediately pull off yellow blighted leaves and destroy them. Begin spraying with Bravo, Dithane or Manzate and spray every seven to 10 days throughout the growing season, Virginia Tech experts recommend.
If you want to avoid chemicals, Robert Zachary, a reader of Organic Gardening magazine, wrote in the July-August issue recommending the ``Cornell Formula.'' That involves spraying tomatoes weekly with 1 tablespoon each of light horticultural oil and baking soda mixed in a gallon of water. Blight was delayed and reduced in amount from previous years, Zachary said.
I have two reprints on tomato diseases and insect problems you can have by sending a No. 10 self-addressed envelope to this column. FINE VINE FOR SUMMER
Mandevilla is a hot-weather vine with summer beauty that's hard to beat. It blooms prolifically with pink trumpet-shaped blooms. Keep it in a container, and it will survive the winter in a cool room. Otherwise, the first frost kills it. It's available in garden centers now for $7 to $15, depending on size. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
ROBERT STIFFLER
Mandevilla's numerous pink, trumpet-shaped blooms make it an
eye-catching summer vice.
by CNB