Can Compost Teas Control Daylily Rust?
Before I answer that, I should answer another question that is sure to be asked by daylily growers: “Will chemical fungicides control rust?” The answer is yes – they will control it but at a cost to the plant, to the environment and to your own health and pocket. Many collectors in the USA have reported to me that their plants have been affected by the cutting and spraying regimes which have been recommended for the control of rust. So . . . could compost teas control rust? I think so, particularly if it is applied to both sides of the leaves before rust is established. As I write, it is 8 months since rust was discovered and I have been applying compost teas monthly. I have sprayed 200 litres of an undiluted mixture over a fully planted one acre trial area To the rest of the 6 acre farm, the tea was applied at a very diluted rate through the overhead sprinkler system. I’ve seen no rust at all on the majority of daylilies in the trial area. In some cases I’ve seen it slowly disappear f
