Home Use of Dusts and Sprays for Tomato Plants

Dusts for Tomato Plants

• Both insecticides and fungicides are available in dust form and can be applied to tomato plants. Diazinon and Sevin are two of the most commonly-used insecticides that can be purchased in dust form, and they're effective against aphids, cutworms, fruit worms, horn worms, stink bugs and mites. Though fungicides can be applied in spray form, it may require up to 40 pounds of dusting material to cover a single acre of tomato plants, which makes it a less convenient product than fungicide sprays.

Sprays for Tomato Plants

• As is true of dust applications, fungicides and insecticides can be combined into a single spray and applied to tomato plants. Sprays for tomato plants can be purchased in bulk, or you can mix the active ingredients yourself in batches to suit the size of your tomato crop. Fungicide sprays are effective in preventing blight, one of the most common diseases affecting tomato plants, as well as mildew and leaf spots. Many fungicide sprays are copper-based, which will not harm your plants, but they should be kept away from water sources. Copper-based sprays cannot be combined with Diazinon or Sevin products.

How to Use Dusts and Sprays

• Dusts for tomato plants often come in powder form, which can be applied directly to the plant through the use of a shaker can, or it can be combined with water. To dust your tomato plants, use the shaker can to apply a fine layer of dust to the surface of the foliage and stalks. Before spraying your tomato plants, make sure that the mixture is shaken well to combine the ingredients. Spray your plants with a fine mist, both under and on top of the leaves, to within an inch of the base of the stalk. Check your plants frequently after spraying or dusting to monitor their progress, and reapply the product when necessary.

Homemade Sprays

• Sprays and dusts for tomato plants can be expensive if you purchase them commercially, but there are several homemade recipes that are just as effective. To protect your tomatoes from early blight, combine 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 2 1/2 tbsp. of vegetable oil with a gallon of water. Shake the mixture, add 1/2 tsp. of castile soap and spray it onto your tomato plants. You can make a combination insecticide and fungicide spray using a whole head of garlic (mashed), 3 cups of water, 2 tbsp. canola oil, 4 hot peppers and a whole lemon. Blend the mixture and strain it, then combine 4 tbsp. with a gallon of water to spray over your plants.