The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

Can I re-use canes & pots from tomatoes with blight?

peter

By Peter

Hampshire, United Kingdom

I removed and destroyed my tomato plants with blight this weekend; they were all staked and some were in pots.

I'm wondering if I can re-use the canes and pots for tomatoes next year, whether I need to do something to ensure blight doesn't return, or whether I have to dispose of them to reduce the risk of blight for the 3rd year in a row?

Thanks for any help :o)




Answers

 

If you disinfect the pots after cleaning thoroughly...they should be ok. I'm not so sure about the canes...they would be quite cheap to replace.

17 Aug, 2009

 

I should just wash them in hot water with something like Jeyes fluid added (if you can still get it.) That should put paid to any fungal spores.
What's more important is to remove any dead leaves and infected fruit and put in the bin.
Blight is very much influenced by the weather too and the best hope is for a good summer.
But I've noticed here in France, despite a very hot and sunny season, the tomatoes in the polytunnel have all got blight, while the outdoor ones, growing in a different spot than the previous year, are virtually blight free.
I'm certainly going to be far more hygiene conscious in the tunnel this autumn and winter and will clear out all the debris as soon as possible.
Spores quite clearly do survive in the soil and on any debris left around.

17 Aug, 2009

 

Good sterilisation will allow you to use the pots and canes on tomatoes next year. Do you grow plants other than solanums (potatoes and tomatoes) that need the use of pots and canes?If so, it would be even safer to use these pots and canes on them next year and use different ones for the tomatoes.

17 Aug, 2009

 

I have 3 tomato plants with blight this year, growing in the ground, in a flower bed. I don't know why they got the blight. All the ones in pots along the wall of the house are doing fine, but I'm keeping a close eye! I have thrown out the blighted ones but must admit I hadn't thought of the canes being a problem. Must get the Jeyes out tomorrow. Yes, you can still get it. To my surprise I saw some in the local Tesco the other day!

17 Aug, 2009

 

Thanks everyone, I'll go hunting for Jeyes this week.

As you say, AmbleAlice, it's not the end of the world if I need to buy more, the canes can always make kindling for my chiminea :o)

Bertie, I took the entire plants out - I was being very unobservant and they were quite badly affected by blight, beyond recovery.

Thanks bulbaholic, I have grown broad beans this year which need canes but I cut the ones I used for toms too short for that. What I grow changes form year to year so I'll bear in mind that they'd be better used on other plants next year.

It seems to be the weather, PennyFarthing, loads of people had it last year and I think this year too - too much rain.

Thanks again for all your help folks :o)

17 Aug, 2009

How do I say thanks?

Answer question

Related photos

  • Early harvest
    Peter
  • The End
    Peter
  • Comparing tomatoes
    Peter
  • Cherry tomatoes with blight
    Peter

Related blogs

Related products

 


Related questions

Not found an answer?