Just recently I heard that Baking soda* is supposed to help against blight on tomatoes. But is this really true? Can affected plants still be saved with it?
Every year the same game: you put a lot of time and heart into growing tomato plants. One builds them mini greenhouses from egg cartons and care for them until they are large enough for the open field.
Once you've planted them outside, it's hope and trepidation that all goes well.
Blight is the biggest enemy of all amateur gardeners who love growing tomatoes as much as I do.
The fungus ravages the plants so quickly that often you can not even look.
But why is that?
And can you really work with Baking powder* take action against it?
Table of contents
How to get blight on tomatoes
Late blight was introduced to Europe from North America around 1840. The fungus attacks the plants from the leaves to the fruits. Even the stems are not protected from it.
The blight occurs when it rains a lot and is warm. Then the fungus feels really well and spreads rapidly.
Blight is first seen on older leaves. They turn gray to black and die. In high humidity, a grayish-white fungus forms on the underside of the leaves.
Some varieties are more susceptible, others less. However, there is no variety that is resistant to blight.
You can recognize late blight on fruit by dark spots that are hard and sunken.
Infested tomatoes are not poisonous, however, they simply no longer taste good and should be disposed of. Why, you can read here: "This is why you should not eat tomatoes with blight“
How can I prevent late blight?
The fact is that strong and healthy plants are less likely to be affected. Fertilize your tomatoes regularly with homemade nettle liquid manureto give blight no chance.
Also helps a tomato and vegetable fertilizer from a specialty store.
Tomatoes that are under roof are more protected from the fungus. Since their leaves and stems do not get wet, the fungus is much harder to spread.
If it rains a lot in your area, then it's worth building a tomato house or canopy.
Stand the tomatoes in the open air, you should stump them out. So they can dry better and faster after the rain. This takes away the breeding ground for the fungal disease.
Good to know: What works against blight besides baking soda
Baking powder* and Baking soda* always help when the infestation is not yet so pronounced. The sooner you notice it, the better.
If you feel that it is already too late, a fungicide can help. There is a means for spraying, which helps against almost all fungal diseases. First of all, late blight, powdery mildew, rust and the like.
In years when my plants show a strong infestation or when I notice that it does not stop raining, then I use this fungicide. But don't forget to wash the tomatoes thoroughly before eating them!
Does baking soda help against blight on tomatoes?
I'm in a Facebook group about tomatoes. Over 19,000 tomato maniacs from Germany and Austria exchange ideas here. Particularly present this year: blight.
Very many are affected and have to dispose of all their plants. They had a lot of work to get the plants so big and can see the first green fruits.
But at the same time brown spots on the stem of the plants. Some are close to tears, others advise themselves Baking soda* against brown rot.
But what is behind it? Does it really help?
Yes, most people are convinced of that. However, you have to act immediately when the first spots appear.
You can Baking soda* or Baking powder* use against brown rot. The powder is mixed with water and applied directly to the plant. The principle of action is simple: the Baking soda* dries out the fungus. Brown rot is a fungus that thrives in warm and humid climates.
Since sodium bicarbonate is alkaline, it destroys the fungus. The plant can continue to grow.
By the way, the soda-water mixture also helps against mildew.
That's why you should water tomatoes with salt water!
Use baking soda and baking powder against brown rot
Do you want Baking powder* or baking soda against late blight, you can find instructions here:
The first step is to remove all affected leaves immediately. The sooner you act, the sooner you can save the plants.
Ingredients
- 8 gram baking soda
- 1 liter water
Mix sodium bicarbonate and water well together.
Pour the mix into a spray bottle.
Spray the plant from top to bottom. Also in places where you can not see blight.
Repeat the procedure every two days. The fungi come through the wind, so they will appear again and again.
Alternatively, you can mix the paste thicker and apply it to the affected areas with a brush. Some amateur gardeners talk about success if they have previously carefully cut out the infested area on the stem with a knife - of course, this is only possible in the early stages.
You also have to keep in mind that fungi love open spaces and especially like to settle here. Therefore you should Baking powder* against brown rot in such places particularly thoroughly.
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