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Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
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Author:  Bluebonnet [ Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
By MICHAEL J. CRUMB Associated Press Writer © 2010 The Associated Press
July 26, 2010, 3:48AM

DES MOINES, Iowa — A fungus spreading among the nation's basil crop may leave lovers of Italian and Thai food feeling a bit bland. :doh

Basil downy mildew first surfaced in the U.S. around 2007 and is slowly but surely ruining the herb at spots across the country. Hardest hit areas are on the East Coast but it also has been found as far west as California.

For growers, the fungus can be devastating.

"We destroyed all our crop this year," said Francesco DeBaggio of DeBaggio's Herb Farm in Chantilly, Va. "We killed about 6,000 plants, or about $18,000 worth of plants."

DeBaggio said he first noticed it in May and didn't realize what it was. Once he determined it was downy mildew he decided to destroy his crop.

read more here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/7124734.html
Author:  UncleJohn [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
Uncle John here: I sure hope we don't get the basil fungus. Pam has tons of garlic and basel in the garden. She makes pesto and freezes it. We enjoy this all year long.
Author:  fr33kSh0w2012 [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
So your saying the BASIL'S gone cancerous! :rant :headbang
Author:  L2L [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
UncleJohn wrote:
Uncle John here: I sure hope we don't get the basil fungus. Pam has tons of garlic and basel in the garden. She makes pesto and freezes it. We enjoy this all year long.


Might be a good idea to have it checked first UJ, just to be on the safe side.

We already lost one valued GT member this year we don't wanna lose another
Author:  Sky [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
Fungus infection is an interesting subject.

I have learnt as an organic grower that plant "Call" their illness to indicate what is stressing them. Much like humans do in a psychosomatic condition recognised I suppose.

If the environment is not in balance where a plant has to grow, something normally goes wrong. Our experience with returning our soils to a natural state using ZERO chemicals and feritilizers, has shown us nothing but bountiful crops.

How cool is it to have Basil pesto all year round UJ?


:mrgreen:
Author:  Bluebonnet [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
I totally agree with you Sky. I've found that now that I don't use fertilizer (other than compost and manure), pesticides, etc. my garden is doing so much better than before. I also see that the plants that are stressed are waaayyyy more susceptible to disease of all kinds.

Unfortunately, I think this fungus is from commercially grown basil. Are we seeing this (again?) because of these methods just like with commerically grown poultry and Avian influenza?

Sadly, it just may affect home gardeners, too. :gah
Author:  Sky [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
You must try and talk to your plants BB - they love it. It's like making food. When you're happy and in love, what an excellent meal it turns out to be? I think plants enjoy some company just like humans.
Author:  Bluebonnet [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
Quote:
You must try and talk to your plants BB - they love it. It's like making food. When you're happy and in love, what an excellent meal it turns out to be? I think plants enjoy some company just like humans.


:clap :roflmao :heart

I can just hear my neighbor already "There goes that crazy ole hippie lady talking to her plants again!" :mrgreen:
Author:  Sky [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers
You have to agree BB that in the Love Light of your own consciousness, nothing is impossible. Your neighbors will sure envy your methods when you pick basket ball tomatoes from your garden.


:lol
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