Fungicide Question

[leaird]

[align=left]My squash plants have white powdery mildew, which has begun to spread to my zucchini and cucumbers. I went to Lowe's to purchase a treatment for the mildew. I was advised by two garden center employees to use Disease Control, which is manufactured by Bayer Advanced. The active ingredient is Tebuconazole (2.9%). We sprayed the plants last night and checked on them this morning. The white powdery mildew did not seem to be affected by the fungicide. So, I called Bayer's 1-800 question line. The woman informed me that this product is not to be applied to plants used for food. She could not give me any further information. The Poison Control Hotline and the National Pesticide Information Center could not offer any additional information either. If you have any information concerning this fungicide, please share. I am heartbroken at the thought of having to destroy my garden that I have worked so hard on.

Thanks,
Elizabeth[/align]

[Newt]

Hi Elizabeth,

So very sorry to hear this.* Personally, I wouldn't eat the veggies now and I would destroy all the plants by throwing them in the trash.* I wouldn't recommend composting any of it.

I found the product and info at their website.* This is the one for roses, flowers and shrubs and contains the same ingredients.
http://www.bayeradvanced.com/product...ncentrate.html

I clicked on the tab for 'Sizes and Labels'.* That led me to their Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
http://www.bayeradvanced.com/media/m...wersShrubs.pdf

Just reading that they fed it to rats and dogs and put it in the eyes of bunnies made me sick to my stomach.* :X* I don't like products that do that.* If you are pregnant you should NOT even be near the stuff, no less eat anything treated with it.

You can use safe home made products to treat powdery mildew and other problems.* How about milk?* Yup, milk for powdery mildew.
http://www.backyardgardener.com/tv/mildew.html
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s948323.htm

There are other kitchen products you can use too.* This first one is for diseases.
http://www.ghorganics.com/page15.html

Here's natural controls for insect pests.
http://www.ghorganics.com/page9.html

It's just another reason I garden organically.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Newt