By Jvt
Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Tomato blight
I have a raised bed which has been affected by blight whilst growing tomato plants
I have removed all the contents of plant material from the bed and burnt it
Can I still use the soil within the bed?
- 20 Oct, 2013
Answers
The RHS recommend that after a crop has been affected (infected) that the soil in that area not be used for tomatoes , potatoes or solanum species for at least 4 years.
Although Moongrower is correct, it is initially caused, like peach leaf curl, by an airborne fungus, it is, again like leaf curl, systemic if any traces of this years crop are left in the ground. It is not the same fungus as leaf curl which stays in the tree. Most other plants are not affected except it has been known to infect, of all things, petunias. Do not compost any affected plants, if you can, burn them.
21 Oct, 2013
"The RHS recommend that after a crop has been affected (infected) that the soil in that area not be used for tomatoes , potatoes or solanum species for at least 4 years"
Could you please guide me to a link for that advice.
Thanks.
Moon grower is correct.
21 Oct, 2013
That's great, thanks for the advice once again all.
21 Oct, 2013
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=217
As I am obviously being accused of being untruthful, the above link will guide you to the site that is available to the general public. A more academic treatise is available to RHS members. You could join??? Perhaps.
Moongrower is, like you, half right.
22 Oct, 2013
No, what they are quoting is normal crop rotation. Nothing to do with blight.
Blight survives in potato tubers or tomato seeds. Nowhere else.
Not in soil.
22 Oct, 2013
Gosh - I was sure I'd replied to this earlier... I find it embarrassing to be agreeing with Scrumpyg. but he is correct! Normal crop rotation is four years but has nothing to do with blight.
22 Oct, 2013
Read it for goodness sake, if you can.
23 Oct, 2013
I did read it and it does not state that you should not grow solanums for four years if there has been blight!
23 Oct, 2013
Previous question
« Has anybody heard from Noseypotter recently? Feeling rather concerned about him
Yes you can... The blight isn't in the soil but in the air.
20 Oct, 2013