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Re: [compost_tea] sprucing up pine trees



Title: Re: [compost_tea] sprucing up pine trees
At 10:33 AM -0400 4/6/03, soilfoodweb@aol.com wrote:
With respect to what to spray - foliar or soil?

Does the tree have fungi attacking the needles?  Does it need a "quick-fix" of nutrients?  Any foliar insect problems through the summer?


Good questions evidently, because they caused me to do some inspection and research.  My Colorado blue spruces show all the symptoms of:

Cytospora or Leucostoma canker, the most common and damaging disease of spruce, is caused by the fungus Leucocytospora kunzei, synonym Cytospora kunzei (teleomorph or sexual state Leucostoma kunzei, synonym Valsa kunzei). This canker occurs on several conifers from New England to the western United States. Colorado or Colorado blue (Picea pungens) and Norway spruce (Picea abies)..... [http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/publications/rpds/rpd604/rpd604.html]


The older limbs die back and cankers exude white resin.  They say there is no cure.  (We'll see about that!)
Foliar sprays might be indicated then, but I'd like to hear your response before being any more specific.
Applying a fungal soil drench would be helpful, given the position of the tree.  Maximizing fungi is the ticket.  Adding a few handfuls of forest duff TO THE COMPOST a few weeks before using that compost would be best. 

Got some forest duff and I have ordered some Alaskan Humus.
What fungal foods do you have to add to the tea to help the beneficial fungu grow?


I've got some Keep It Simple, Inc. microbe food and compost too.

This is kinda fun and reminds me of chemistry set days long ago.  I can see that I need a microscope.

Might I want to make one brew for the roots and another different mix for the needles and bark?

Bob Thorson

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