Re: [gardeners] New members
Teressa Kandianis (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Wed, 27 Jun 2001 13:03:38 -0700
Its the same as the late blight of potato fame. I'm not sure of the extent
of the spread of it but my mother gardens in the Atlanta area and she has no
problems. I know its an issue in western canada as well as throughout the
Pac NW. Water hitting the leaves is what facilitates the blight as I guess
the spores are everywhere already waiting for an opportune moment to grow.
I saw an article in Time (or Newsweek) that discussed the search for the
original strain of blight from the potato famine. I guess the theory is
that finding this strain will lead back to its source which may yield some
native potatoes in S. America that are blight proof - then the blight proof
gene can be bred back. It also mentioned that the tomato late blight had
reached epidemic proportions but didn't really elaborate. Given the very
suspect nature of Time and Newsweek reporting, this is almost guaranteed to
be an over simplification that doesn't really jive with the facts.
My tomatoes will be blight free as long as they aren't exposed to rain or
overhead watering. Unfortunately for me, strong winds this spring ripped
off my temp plastic tent and my tomatoes are exposed to rain as we speak.
Deep sigh. There was mention on the PNW garden list about the development
of Legend, a tomato bred to be resistent to late blight. Maybe others on
this list know more.
And to the list owner, much to my surprise my husband (who is a private
pilot) told me he thought Ferndale did have an airbase here years ago over
next to the Puget Sound at Cherry Point.
Teressa in Ferndale where my garden is getting a good soaking today.