Tomato blight
I have been raising heirloom tomatoes the last few years and, the last season or two, have had horrible problems with what looks like fusarium wilt. Last year there were new varietals I planted that no one even got to taste, because the fungus took them while they were still in blossom.
I've tried commercial copper-based and homemade fungicide, and nothing seems to curb the wilt once it sets in - other than monitoring infected plants and clipping away the diseased, yellowing portions, but that only treats the symptoms. At best it helps the plant limp through to the end of its natural lifespan.
I realize some of the plants might have been brought home already contaminated, what can I do about that going forward?
Also: if the spores have become endemic to my tomato beds (probably safest to proceed as if they are) what can I do to treat them now, to kill the spores before spring planting?
I've tried commercial copper-based and homemade fungicide, and nothing seems to curb the wilt once it sets in - other than monitoring infected plants and clipping away the diseased, yellowing portions, but that only treats the symptoms. At best it helps the plant limp through to the end of its natural lifespan.
I realize some of the plants might have been brought home already contaminated, what can I do about that going forward?
Also: if the spores have become endemic to my tomato beds (probably safest to proceed as if they are) what can I do to treat them now, to kill the spores before spring planting?