Re: COMPOST TEA was Re: Perry's recnt posts

[Soilculturebiody]

Allan,

Your question, "Do you know of anyone using compost tea and failing to
control powdery mildew?" lacks a critical component to be of most use.

How about taking into account the rest of the farm plan. In other words, if you are using compost tea to manage PM, is it the only management step being taken?

Is it white grapes or black?
What is the environmental pressures? Humid/cool climate?
Is there a nearby vineyard (other) that has PM problems?
What is the soil/vine health plan and does it address the need for B, Ca, P K and Zn?
Why think that using an external (from the top down) application of anything is going to be sufficient to address a problem as complex as PM infection?
I never approach PM from the top down, only. There needs to be an integrated approach that includes soil/vine nutrition, cultural controls and additionally topical applications.

Where the particular vines are grown are very significant in this question.
Are you comfortable/healthy standing in a polar zone?
Are you comfortable/healthy standing in the Sahara desert.
Likely not.
I dont thing that vines planted in the wrong spot (a spot with environment not to the vines liking) are going to be conformable and healthy enough to defend without something as strong as suffer?

Most vines that are easy to defend from PM, defend themselves. If you have bad PM, the question is why?

Bob

PS
I still have been unable do get AY presentation off of real player. I get to the real player screen and then nothing works? Must be me.

Bob