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Tomato Blight - Reusing Canes

RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,458
in Fruit & veg
My tomatoes got a little late blight last year, not much and only very late in the season.  Is is OK to reuse the canes this year or should I sterilise them first.  I don't use chemicals so is washing up liquid helpful to wash them in or is it not really necessary? 
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,353
    Never had blight as mine are always undercover, which is easier, but I don't think it would be transmissable on canes, unless there was soil attached. That's where the spores lie.
    I expect if they were thoroughly cleaned it would be unlikely to have any, but perhaps a dunk in a bucket of mild disinfectant afterwards would help? 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,135
    They don't need cleaning due to blight, but a wipe over is good practise.
    Blight spores are around us all in the air throughout the year.
    It's only when conditions are just right for them and they take hold on a plant that it becomes a problem.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,458
    Thanks both; have washed them in washing up liquid.  Last year was the first time in over 40 years of growing greenhouse tomatoes that I've had blight.  (Had it on outdoor ones a few times though.)
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
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