Features
- Mix 1 tbsp per gallon of water
- 1 gallon will treat 450SF
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The leaf on the right was sprayed with a homemade formula which beads up and does not provide complete coverage. The leaf on the left was sprayed with GreenCure® and spreads evenly across the surface. |
Comparison Chart
GreenCure®is as effective or better than other fungicides.You don’t give up effectiveness by going less toxic. GreenCure® has undergone independent, head-to-head testing against other fungicides. The results…it has proven to be equally as effective or better than other fungicides. The following compilation graph represents the results of comparative testing.
For Organic Production: The GreenCure® formula meets the requirements of the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) for use in organic production. This makes GreenCure® ideal for use in organic farm and garden applications. What is GreenCure® ?
GreenCure® is a potassium bicarbonate-based fungicide that has been proven to cure and prevent powdery mildew, blackspot, downy mildew, blights, molds and other plant diseases. GreenCure® is as effective or better than competitive products, can be more economical and best of all, it's kinder to you and the environment.
Unlike harsh chemicals, GreenCure's® Active Ingredient: Potassium Bicarbonate is a naturally occurring compound that is widely used in food and is an integral part of humans, animals, plants and virtually all living organisms. It is safer for the environment than other alternatives.
GreenCure® is recommended for use on over 85 different flowers, trees, fruits, vegetables, and turfs. It can be used in organic vegetable production and even indoors.
Advantages of GreenCure®
- Controls powdery mildew and other diseases on contact
- Provides 2-3 weeks of residual protection
- Fully dissolves in water
- Sprays on evenly and sticks to plant surfaces
- Vegetables can be harvested as soon as 1 hour after spraying
- Does not restrict plant growth
- Economical
- It does not accumulate in soil
- Compatible with many beneficial insects
- For Organic Production
GreenCure® is Proven Effective
In 1985 renowned plant pathologist, Dr. Ken Horst of Cornell University began research on the use of bicarbonates as a plant fungicide. Stories about the use of baking soda for controlling garden fungi had circulated for years, but its effectiveness was limited by the method of application its inability to spead evenly and provide complete coverage.
Years of research and experimentation revealed some significant and surprising discoveries. First, it was found that potassium bicarbonate is 25 to 35 percent more effective than sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Second, It was determined that an effective "spreader-sticker" was needed to evenly spread and stick the potassium bicarbonate over a leaf surface to give it the ability to be a powerful fungicide and have lasting and preventative characteristics.
How does GreenCure® Work ?
Dr. Horst’s research validated the power of Potassium Bicarbonate as an effective way to kill mold spores and prevent them from taking root. GreenCure® uses several modes of action against mildew the most obvious of which is that it causes spores and tubes to suffer immediate and rapid water loss, thereby effectively killing the fungus. Once destroyed, the residual spore material often sloughs off or washes away.
GreenCure’s® effectiveness can be viewed under an Electron Microscope (pictured on right), where it is possible to see how the mildew spores on the right are completely withered after being treated with GreenCure®. The spore on the left is untreated and remains plump and continues to send out an infectious tube to spread its destruction.
Why is Powdery Mildew and Garden Fungi a Problem ?
Mildew and other fungal diseases are the result of living mold spores that attach themselves to plants and other organic materials. They feed off of the organic material and in the case of plants they interfere with the normal physiology of plant. Weakened plants can be more susceptible to other pests or diseases. As the disease progresses, the mold spores get larger and thicker and the mildew spreads up and down the length of the plant. Unchecked, mildew can cause extensive damage and reduce blossom growth on ornamentals and diminish vegetable yield. Mold spores are also unhealthy for humans and can cause severe allergies.
GreenCure® is Easy To Use
GreenCure® fully dissolves in water and is easily sprayed on leaves, flowers, stems and branches. The patented formula contains just the right amount of potassium bicarbonate and surfactants so that there is no unsightly residue. It dries quickly and it dries clean. Vegetables can be harvested within 1 hour of spraying. It spreads out evenly over leaves and provides complete coverage. Since "prevention is the best medicine" it is wise to apply GreenCure® at the first sign of disease or even when environmental conditions are favorable to mildew. GreenCure® kills mildew on contact and provides up to 2 weeks of preventive protection.
FAQ's
Will GreenCure® work on my plant ?
All of the plants that GreenCure® has been proven to work on are listed on the Ornamental, Garden and Turf application pages.
The fungicide that I use is no longer being sold, how come ?
Many fungicides have been given a toxological review by the EPA and are being discontinued. That is why safer alternatives, such as GreenCure®, are now being used.
How come I've never heard of GreenCure® ?
GreenCure® has been used by agricultural professionals for the last 8 years under the name MilStop™. It has been very successful against curing and preventing many types of plant diseases. It is now available as GreenCure® for home gardeners and small organic farmers. Now you can use what the professionals use!
Can GreenCure® be used indoors ?
Yes. GreenCure is one of the few fungicides that is EPA registered for use on indoor plants.
Is GreenCure safe to use around fish ponds?
Yes, in the process of registration of GreenCure with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) we were required to provide data on fish toxicities, if any, in the registration package. Tests were one to provide those required data. There is no toxicity to fish, thus it is safe to use GreenCure on plants around ponds and lakes containing fish.
Is GreenCure safe for bees ?
Used as a fungicide on the plants - leaves, blossoms and stems, GreenCure would not be harmful to bees. Interestingly, in Dr. Horst's research developing GreenCure, they had a greenhouse in which strawberries were being grown at Cornell University and they were having a large problem with powdery mildew on the strawberries, including on the flowers. The mildew was even on the pollen producing stamens which resulted in the failure to set fruit. Bees were being used in the greenhouse for pollination purposes and would not pollinate the mildew contaminated flowers. GreenCure was used to eliminate the mildew and the bees continued their pollination activity resulting in good fruit set. There appeared to be no negative effect on the activities of the bees. It is important to avoid hitting the bees directly with the GreenCure spray since we do know that GreenCure does have some insecticidal properties as demonstrated in ongoing research on aphids and mites. (Direct spraying on them appears to cause suffocation not any toxic reaction).
Why does the label list a number of precautions ?
As an EPA registered fungicide, GreenCure is required to display the minimum required precautions. For example, the label notes that it could cause moderate eye irritation if you got it in the eyes. The ingredients in GreenCure would cause irritation similar to getting soap or salt water in the eyes but would not damage the eyes. So, the precautions are good advice and are required by the EPA, but it is important to recognize that GreenCure has the lowest allowed requirements for a fungicide, is listed for organic production and has the lowest safe to harvest rating which is only 1 hour. This means you can spray fruit or vegetable plants and in one hour harvest and consume the produce.
Can GreenCure be used with a hose-end sprayer ?
We DO NOT recommend using a hose-end sprayer because it would be difficult to control the mix proportions. For spraying that requires more than a handheld spray bottle, we recommend using a pump tank sprayer.
Can I mix GreenCure with other products such as pesticides ?
We DO NOT recommend mixing the product with other products because it could inadvertantly reduce the usefulness of GreenCure by altering its PH level.
Do I need to add surfactants (speader/sticker) or oils to GreenCure ?
NO. The formula in GreenCure already contains just the right amount of surfactants in order to maximize the benefits of the potassium bicarbonate. More than 350 surfactants where tested and ultimately the combination of ingredients in GreenCure were found to be significantly more effective than other ingredients while maintaining the less toxic characteristics of the base formula. Adding in additional ingredients would change the formula and could cause burning of the leaves.
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