My Garden

Murphy's Traditional Copper Fungicide

Last post 26-08-2009 8:10 AM by bogweevil. 11 replies.

• 11/02/2009 11:50 AM
  James1664 Location: UK Joined on: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 82	Reply | Contact  Hi All,  I have posed this question on other forums.  Would it be possible to spray Murphy's Traditional Copper Fungicide on tomatoes and potatoes, as a preventative, for blight?  The instructions say to spray at the first sign of disesase, but I was wondering if spraying them early would combat the blight?  Many thanks Roll on the weekend!

• 12/02/2009 08:48 AM

  In reply to

  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,043

  Reply | Contact He's right, it does say at first sign of blight which is too late for what is a protective fungicide with no curative action.  You need to apply from early summer before blight arrives.  Commercial copper product labels advise protective spraying for tomatoes, but for potatoes state that application can only be made after receiving a blight warning from a commercial warning service.  These have legal force.  Therefore it seems to me that in translating the instructions from commercial to amateur use, the commercial warning service is clearly not widely inapplicable and therefore the authorities have said 'at first sign of blight'.  Rubbish but there you are. By the way the latest trials have shown that protective fungicides are very poor at controlling blight, but they are all the amateur has got.  Dithane, also a protective materia, just says every ten days for potatoes from early July, but for tomatoes it too says 'at the first sign'. This is hard to understand. Thanks for this. Boggy   Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 12/02/2009 11:43 AM

  In reply to

  James1664 Location: UK Joined on: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 82

  Reply | Contact  According to an answer I received on another forum, Murphy's Traditional Copper Fungicide is being removed from the market and so is Dithane.  Not entirely sure how true this is as I've been doing some research on the web and cannot find anything that relates to the claim that was made.  The reply came from someone who works in a Garden Centre and says they have good knowledge of products that are being removed from the market.  I'm going to do my own Garden Centre research and will report back. Roll on the weekend!

• 12/02/2009 05:48 PM

  In reply to

  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,043

  Reply | Contact Neither Dithane or Murphy's Copper has been removed from the market (yet, though anyday I expect) - my observation is that other forums are deeply unreliable.  Most garden centre staff have no knowledge of anything, especially of things to do with gardens, so I would not take too much notice. Do feel free to pass these comments on to other forums. Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 12/02/2009 06:17 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,743	Reply | Contact Boggy is it for sure that dithane 945 is being withdrawn from sale?? and if they withdraw Murphy's i suppose they'll do the same to cheshunt? digger

• 13/02/2009 12:05 AM

  In reply to

  James1664 Location: UK Joined on: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 82

  Reply | Contact Boggy,  I'll happily use your quote, but on seeing that I had a virtual arguement with the other poster, it's probably not a good idea. They said that they had received the information from the HTA regarding the withdrawal of both Dithane and Murphy's Traditional Copper Fungicide, so I've contacted the HTA for confirmation and I am now awaiting a response.  Also this person said that they worked in a Garden Centre so had 1st hand knowledge.  We'll see............................ Roll on the weekend!

• 13/02/2009 12:09 AM	In reply to
  James1664 Location: UK Joined on: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 82	Reply | Contact Digger,  I'm not sure they could withdraw Cheshunt, because that would mean moving a whole town!! Ha! Ha! :-)  James Roll on the weekend!

• 13/02/2009 11:20 AM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,743	Reply | Contact It wouldn't suprise me if the EU directed it the town would get removed digger

• 16/02/2009 04:31 PM

  In reply to

  James1664 Location: UK Joined on: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 82

  Reply | Contact Just to update everyone, this is the answer I got from the HTA: Neither Murphys Traditional Copper or Dithane 945 have been withdrawn.  They were mentioned in an impact assessment as to the potential effects of the recent new pesticide legislation that was published in a recent edition of the HTA news. That may be what you are thinking of. Murphys Traditional Copper Fungicide has a retail product approval until 31-12-2013. PBI Dithane 945, MAPP number 0718 does expire on 28th February 2009 but the product is replaced by Dithane MAPP no 12708 which is approved until 31-12-2013. Neither product is currently being withdrawn.  Dithane in particular is under threat from the EU legislation but as things stand it is most likely to see out the current period until 2013. Roll on the weekend!

• 17/02/2009 07:28 AM	In reply to
  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,043	Reply | Contact Told you so...rest my case on garden centres. Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 17/02/2009 09:01 AM	In reply to
  James1664 Location: UK Joined on: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 82	Reply | Contact  Wouldn't have happened on my watch! Roll on the weekend!

• 26/08/2009 08:10 AM	In reply to
  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,043	Reply | Contact Update - Murphy's Copper Fungicide is no longer being made, the active ingredient is in short supply and is in any case due for withdrawal next year, so that leaves Dithane and Bordeaux mixture for blight control.   Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil