At 08:54 AM 2/16/04 -0500, Beckenbach, Jay wrote:
Last week it was mentioned that liquid copper is a good, mild anti-fungal
treatment and can be used as a soil drench. I noticed a few of the leaves
on my Ilex vomitorium (yaupon holly) turning brown. Last time that
happened, I lost a tree so I got a bottle of LCu. The instructions
indicated 4t/gal as a spray for ornamentals but didn't mention soil drench.

Did I hallucinate the soil drench part or did I miss something? Any other
thoughts about the I.v. would be appreciated. By way of background, this
plant has just recently been repotted and then moved into a hoop house to
protect it from "wind chill" drying. It's gotten down to the low thirties
outside but not freezing yet. Soil mix of pine bark and fired clay. Don't
want to lose this piece if I can help it. Thanks and have fun - jay

Jay

Be very careful using any copper solutions as a soil drench. Ionic copper
is highly toxic to the roots of plants in the quantities used in
fungicides. It will completely stunt the growth, if not kill the plant
outright. Been there, done that. Most copper formulations that are labelled
for a drench are completely safe, IF used as directed. BUT, if you soil pH
is very much lower than 6.5, the 'fixed' copper can be converted to ionic
compounds and the copper freed. Check your soil pH first and avoid
fertilization (acid forming) for several weeks afterward until the copper
is mostly leached out. If it doesn't mention a soil drench DON'T use it as one.


Brent in Northern California
Evergreen Gardenworks USDA Zone 8 Sunset Zone 14

http://www.EvergreenGardenworks.com

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