The KPRC Radio Gardenline Tip By Randy Lemmon For 09-02-04 Printer-Friendly Version



Brownpatch Alert - -- Exceptionally High!

For those of you who read these email tips fairly consistently know that we just sent out a Brownpatch tips sheet just a few weeks ago. But my hope, in this some what of a repetitive note, is that those who didn't pay attention to the last email will definetely pay attention to this one. It's Tuesday evening as I write this tip, and I noticed that the weather forcasts predict a lot of night time lows in the 60s this week. And if you'll remember from the last tip, (read the very bottom of this tip sheet) those kind of night time temps are part of that evil witches brew that leads to Brownpatch.

The text of the last email tip is below, to help remind you of all of the names of products that are readily available for the retail consumer. What I want you to take away from this email tip, is the need to make some cursory checks around the lawn so that you can detect those early instances of brownpatch. And I promise that if you can learn how to detect the earliest of stages with brownpatch, you will not see them grow to those unbelievable sizes that eventually engulf the whole yards.

Remember too, from the last email tip on brownpatch, we discussed the importance of starting a prevention program early. So, without further ado, please get the broadcast controls down this week and mark your calendar to do it again in 30 days. If you've applied an of the granular fungicides within the last 20 days, then I don't think you have too much to worry about... but if you did nothing in between the last brownpatch alert and today, then you are due.

It's my hope that with two applications the first of September and first of October, that should be enough to fight off the bane of my Houston area homeowners during the Autumn months.

EMAIL TIP FROM 7-28-04:
If any of you have either been longtime subscribers to this email service, or if you’ve listened consistently to the radio program on the weekends, you may have noticed how the “control” time for Brownpatch has really crept earlier and earlier into the schedule. This year seems to be no different as Brownpatch questions are already creeping in on email and on the air. Translation: IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO BE THINKING OF BROWNPATCH CONTROL.

In the past, we noted that September first was always the time to start thinking of preventative control. Then, in the past few years, people were noting how they seemed to be getting tell-tale signs in Augusts. So, we didn’t hesitate to advise getting some control measures down then. And thanks to the goofy weather year of 2004, I’m already seeing signs of it in my neighborhood. So, even though it’s the last weekend of July, if you are seeing any (and I mean any) signs of Brownpatch, please don’t hesitate to start some control measures.

Here’s the key to success: If you put down a granular “preventative control” now, you still have to do it every thirty days until the low temperatures at night dip below 60 degrees. That means it may be 3-4 months of applications, and that can get expensive for some folks.

Here’s a list of those granular preventatives that seem to work best on the Gulf Coast

Myclobutanil – Ex: Fertilome F-Stop; GreenLight Fung-Away

Terrachlor (or PCNB) -- Ex: Hi Yield Terrachlor Gran.; Nitro Phos Fungicide w/PCNB

Safe-T Green

Bayleton

Once you have spots developing, not only do you have to put out the preventative for everywhere else, but specifically on the spots you need to put a liquid fungicide of almost any kind. Here’s a short of list of possible options.

Chlorothalonil – Ex: Any Daconil

Banner-Based – Ex: Fertilome Liquid Systemic; Bonide Infuse; Banner-Maxx

Benomyl

Myclotbutanil

As a reminder, here’s a link to our original tip sheet about Brownpatch control. < http://www.950kprc.com/gardenline-brownpatch.html >

Lastly, just remember that the fungal pathogen that causes Brownpatch loves the combination of 1. A recent fertilization 2. Excessive Moisture 3. Cooler night time temperatures and lastly 4. HUMIDITY! Sometimes, that means in Houston, it’s almost inevitable.

Until next issue, here's to Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard exclusively weekend mornings from 8 to noon on Talkradio 950 KPRC.