Each year with the coming of warm weather and new growth, so does a host of critters that can be at least or more devastating than insects - FUNGUS! Approximately 70,000 fungal species have been formally described by taxonomists, but the true dimension of fungal diversity is still unknown. The world of fungi (plural for fungus) includes yeasts, molds, smuts, rusts, ringworms and mushrooms to name a few and are grouped together in the kingdom known as, what else - Fungi. Now fungi are not to be confused with viruses, which are a totally different critter and for the sake of simplicity only, viruses live inside the plant as apposed to the fungi which live primarily external. Additionally, while fungi are normally relatively easy to control, there is no cure for a virus and eradication of infected plants and plant parts is the only cure. All fungi however are not created equal and without them there would be no bread as we know it. No penicillin, many cheeses or those delicious fungal treats we consume as food every day. However, as with any family, the family of fungi also has its share of "bad apples" and left unchecked, these tenacious and persistent critters will grow and spread until they consume an entire plant, crop or large area. Many can overwinter in the soil or in fallen leaves or fruit and for this reason, good sanitation practices are paramount. But what does a gardener do when one of these "bad boys" decides to party on your roses, squash or those phlox you're so proud of? Do you run down to your local store, grab a bottle of chemical spray and start blasting away? As a conscientious gardener you know that this can do no good to the environment, but you don't want to loose your plants, flowers or crop either. The next time you find yourself hosting a bad boy party, give one of these homemade sprays a try. They're effective, inexpensive and won't harm the environment either. HOMEMADE DISINFECTANT When pruning and doing general clean-up in the yard and garden, one of the quickest ways to spread diseases is by using contaminated pruning equipment. The following formula is super easy to make, effective against most infectious agents and costs just pennies to make. Materials Needed: - One clean 1 gallon milk jug with tight lid.
- 1 cup of unscented, plain chlorine bleach (the cheaper the better)
- 10 cups of distilled water
- 1 funnel
- 1 small hand sprayer
 (I use a 1/2 pint size found in the cosmetics department of many stores) - Rubber gloves
- 1 Permanent Marker or Paint Pen.
- 1 Measuring cup (1 or 2 cup size)
Wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands from the chlorine bleach pour the bleach and water in together in the gallon milk jug (use the funnel to make this task easier). Place the cap on the jug and gently shake to thoroughly mix. Using the funnel, fill the sprayer bottle with the disinfectant spray. Using a permanent marker or paint pen, label both the spray bottle and milk jug with contents. Don't mix larger quantities unless you have some really heavy pruning needs and always keep the mixture stored in an airtight container. Keep this bottle handy and spray the cutting surfaces of your pruning and cutting equipment (including saws) after each cut to prevent spreading disease. Tip: After the last cut of the day or if you are going to be away from your cutting for a while, spray down the cutting surfaces and after a couple of minutes wipe off the remaining disinfectant. Then spray a good quality oil over the cutting surfaces to prevent corrosion and rusting. Tip: If you are into a heavy day of pruning (say an orchard, etc.) try mixing a larger batch in a bucket that you can simply dip the pruners into.
HOMEMADE FUNGICIDES Here are 3 different fungicide formulas that combat just about any fungal problem you will encounter. I have listed them in the order that I would use them myself, but you feel free to try any one that you feel most comfortable with. They all work! Fungicide Mix #1 - Compost Tea This first formula uses the power of microbes and bacteria in compost to fight many fungal infestations. Materials Needed: - Cheese cloth or muslin material approximately 2 feet x 2 feet square
- 1 - 5 gallon bucket with lid
- 3 gallons of distilled water (don't use tap water because of the water additives especially fluorides)
- 2 quarts of sifted finished compost (I strongly recommend your own homemade compost)
- 1 fine mesh strainer (a large piece tightly woven cotton material works great)
- 1 hand sprayer or for larger jobs use a pump type garden sprayer.
- 2-3 clean, 1 gallon milk jugs with tight lids
- 1 Permanent marker or Paint Pen
Place the compost in the center of the cheese cloth or muslin material and pull it up around the compost and tie it tightly to form a closed bag of compost. Place this bag of compost into the bucket and pour the water over it. Place the lid on the bucket and place it in a shady location to "brew" for 2 - 3 days. Remove the lid and give the tea a swirl or two every day (be careful not to puncture or tear the bag). At the end of the "brewing" period strain the finished brew into your sprayer and then strain the remaining "tea" into the milk jugs for use later (failure to adequately strain the tea could result in a clogged sprayer). Label the milk jugs as to the contents and store in a cool location. Spray all surfaces (including underneath sides of the leaves) of the effected plants and surrounding plants every 4 - 6 days for 2 - 3 weeks. If it rains after applying the tea, spray again immediately after the weather  clears. When spraying the effected plant or plants, be sure to spray the ground around the plant as well and cover the surrounding soil with mulch to eliminate splashing soil onto the plant when it rains. Note: This compost tea also makes an excellent natural fertilizer. Note: A compost brewing kit makes this job easy and makes good sense if you want to take advantage of its food value for your plants.
Fungicide Mix #2 - Powdery Mildew Spray This mix is super easy to make and you should have all of the materials at hand already. Materials Needed: - 1 Tablespoon baking soda
- 21/2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 gallon of distilled water
- 1 hand or pump-up sprayer (dependent on area to be covered)
- 1 clean, 1 gallon milk jug with tight lid, optional (the gallon jug that the water comes in will work fine)
- 1 container for mixing (optional)
- 1 Permanent Marker or Paint Pen
Place the water, oil and soda into a container and mix well. Pour this mixture into sprayer and spray all surfaces of the plant or plants and surrounding plants including underneath surfaces every week to 10 days. Re-apply if it rains and don't forget to spray the surrounding soil and cover soil with mulch to prevent soil splashing on the plants. Store remaining mixture in a milk jug or the water jug with a tight fitting lid and label the jug with the contents. Note: While spraying, shake the sprayer often to keep the mixture mixed because the oil will separate.
Fungicide Mix #3 - Cornell Fungal Formula This last fungal formula was developed by the folks at Cornell University and it does require you to buy a couple of things - but it's worth it for really tough fungal problems. I consider this the last line of attack before I resort to a more drastic copper-based product. Materials Needed: - 1 Tablespoon baking soda
- 1 Tablespoon "Horticultural Oil
 " (this is different than cooking oil) - 1 Tablespoon "Insecticidal Soap"
- 1 gallon distilled water
- 1 container for mixing (optional)
- 1 hand or pump-up sprayer (dependent on area to be covered)
- 1 clean, 1 gallon milk jug with tight-fitting lid (optional)
- 1 Permanent Marker or Paint Pen
Pour the water and both oils into a container and mix thoroughly. Pour this mixture into sprayer and spray all surfaces of effected plants and surrounding plants (including underneath surfaces) every week or 10 days. Re-apply if it rains. Be sure to spray the surrounding soil and cover with mulch to prevent soil splashing on the plants if it rains. Store any unused mixture in the milk jug and label with its contents away from children and pets. Note: This mixture must be kept agitated while spraying to prevent separation.
Helpful Tips - To help improve agitation of solutions in pump-up sprayers, add a "golf ball" to the tank as an agitator.
- Use sprayers (hand or pump) that are dedicated to one use only, such as insecticides, fungicides, etc. and make sure to label them as such. This will eliminate cross contamination and is especially important if using chemical insecticides, herbicides, etc.
- Always drain, rinse, and turn sprayers upside down to dry after each use. Don't forget to fill container with clean water and rinse the pump/sprayer assembly by spraying it for a few seconds. Remove the trigger assembly from hand sprayers and pump them dry.
- Using distilled water to rinse sprayers will prevent mineral build-up in the pump and spray mechanisms.
- Rake up leaves, fallen fruit and other debris from infected plants and either burn it or bag it to go into your normal waste stream.
- NEVER put infected plants or plant parts into your compost pile. You may inadvertently spread the fungus to other areas or plants.
- Always wear disposable gloves when handling infected plants and dispose of these and wash your hands and clothing thoroughly before handling healthy plants. Fungus can also be transferred on your shoes from one area to another. So wear rubber boots that can be hosed off and sanitized when working with infected plants.
- ALWAYS sanitize pruners and other cutters between cuts when working with infected plants.
- Provide good air circulation through and around plants to prevent the growth and spread of fungi.
- NEVER chip or grind infected plant parts as this will dislodge fungal spores to the wind to be spread.
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Happy gardening and "Have A Great Day" the "Hillbilly Gardener" | 
