On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:38:45 +0100, Brian Mitchell
wrote:

Hi,

I have this ongoing problem with hazel shrubs being attacked by some
kind of fungal or viral infection which affects the leaves and
eventually kills the plant. The only measure I've found at all helpful
so far is to spray them with Dithane before the infection hits, but this
is horrendously expensive. A sachet costing £1 makes approx 2 litres,
which just about does one bush and I've got over 30 of them I'm trying
to keep alive. The spraying needs to be repeated and this disease seems
to spread to other trees as well.

Does anyone know of any other systemic or preventative fungicides I
could try and which I could get in bulk at non-GC prices? Or have ideas
about a homemade fungicide? I don't want to lose all these hazels.

Desperate in SW Wales.


Dithane costs £2.49 for six 2.25 litre sachets at Wilkinsons. They are
always cheaper than most for garden stuff.

In poorer parts of the world they have had some success with milk.
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s948323.htm for example
My guess is that the milk is unpasturised as that will ensure the
antibodies etc are still working.

Came across this too. It would help to know which fungus it is,
though it must be one and not a virus if Dithane works.

http://www.ghorganics.com/page15.html

Hope you find something that works. With 30 bushes you could try
trials.

N