The community horticulture program serves Seneca County with many educational resources and programs, including soil nutrient and pH analysis, plant/weed id, plant disease and insect diagnostics and workshops.

Hot Topic

LATE BLIGHT

FOUND ON

TOMATOES

IN SENECA COUNTY

It has been comfirmed that tomato plants at Lowe's in Waterloo were infected with late blight. Most infected plants came from big box stores i.e. Home Depot, Lowes, Wal Mart etc. No small garden centers have been found to have the disease. It is not a seed borne disease, so tomato plants started from seed locally would be free of the disease at least for now.

If you think your tomato plants fit the description in the article below for symptoms of late blight, please pull a plant and bring it to our office at 308 Main Street Shop Centre, Waterloo or call us at 315-539-9251.

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a serious disease affecting mainly tomato and potato throughout the world.  It is a common disease in New State and the surrounding states in the Northeast since our summer, with cool temperatures and frequent rains, is very conducive for disease development.  Late blight is such a serious problem because the inoculum (spores) is easily carried in wind currents to infect susceptible plants in even the most remote area in our region.  Currently all tomato and potato plants grown in home gardens and in commercial fields are susceptible to late blight!  Commercially growers have to respond to reports of the disease by spraying fungicides to prevent spread of the disease, which otherwise would mean certain death of their crops.  Unfortunately, homeowners may not be as aware of this important disease, and if no corrective actions are taken in a timely manner, home gardens can provide a source of inoculum for neighbors and for commercial interests.
click here for complete story

Hot Topic Archive

• 'Amazon.com' For Vegetables Helps Gardeners Pick & Choose Their Varieties
• Box Elder Bug
• Termite Infested Mulch