Same here, SAR is key and even if u don’t have mold issues boosting ur girls with such is such a nice gain exp for speciality plants like cannabis. I can visually see health boost and when girls get old or sad rrgalia is my exp booster and bacteria
Regalia — main mode of action
Regalia contains an extract of
Reynoutria sachalinensis (giant knotweed). It is primarily a
plant defense activator/elicitor, rather than a conventional fungicide that directly kills the pathogen.
- SAR/defense activation: The extract stimulates the plant’s natural defense mechanisms, including pathways associated with systemic acquired resistance (SAR).
- Defense priming: Instead of directly poisoning the fungus, it puts the plant into a heightened state of defense so it can respond more rapidly and strongly when challenged.
- Multiple defense responses: Activation can increase production of natural defensive compounds and strengthen physical/biochemical barriers against pathogen establishment.
- Systemic effect: The important distinction is that the plant’s defense response can become systemic—that does not mean Regalia itself is a conventional systemic fungicide being translocated throughout the plant.
- Preventative tool: Because you’re primarily stimulating the plant’s defenses, it makes the most sense as a preventative/early disease-management tool, rather than something to rely on for eliminating an established infection.
with vegetables—there were certain crops where I used to constantly battle PM and leaf spot. Now I rarely see PM on cucumbers/melons and have very little disease pressure on the rest of my vegetables and fruit.
I tried just about everything over the years, including some questionable approaches, but Regalia (and bacteria) was one of the products that really changed my results. The key, IMO, is supporting the plant’s own defense response rather than relying entirely on products that directly attack the pathogen. Before Regalia, I experimented with willow/aspirin as a way of stimulating similar defense pathways, but the results were nowhere near as consistent or effective.
I grow in an environment OD that can sit around 70–100% RH with nights frequently below 50°F, so disease pressure can be pretty intense. I also use Regalia indoors because the plant-defense response it induces can be useful throughout the crop cycle, particularly as plants get older and environmental stress accumulates.
Even for people who don’t want to foliar late in flower, I’d consider incorporating a properly labeled Regalia drench into an IPM/root-zone program. Just follow the specific product label for the crop and application method you’re using. 3-15ml per gal every 7-21 days
One tip for anyone doing drenches: I prefer pre-wetting the medium thoroughly first, then applying the biological/elicitor solution. That gives you much more even distribution through the root zone instead of trying to push a concentrated application through a dry or hydrophobic medium.
for Regalia I personally use both foliar and root-zone applications depending on the situation. The main thing is understanding what you’re trying to accomplish and choosing the application method that makes sense for your crop, environment, and budget.
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The second component I like adding to a biological IPM program is a
Bacillus-based biofungicide such as Southern AG Biological Fungicide, CEASE, or Double Nickel. I use it as a complementary mode of action alongside an SAR elicitor like Regalia.
Double Nickel, for example, contains
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747. Unlike a conventional systemic fungicide, its activity comes from several biological mechanisms:
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Antibiosis: D747 produces antimicrobial compounds, including lipopeptides such as iturin-, fengycin-, and surfactin-type metabolites that can interfere with fungal growth and cell membranes.
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Competition: The bacteria colonize plant surfaces and compete with pathogens for nutrients and space.
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Direct antagonism: The established bacterial population can suppress pathogen germination and development through a combination of microbial competition and antimicrobial metabolites.
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Plant-defense stimulation: Bacillus can also contribute to induced plant defense responses, giving you another layer of protection beyond direct pathogen suppression.
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Colonization/biofilm formation: Establishing beneficial bacteria on the plant surface helps maintain biological competition against pathogens between applications.
That’s why I like pairing a
Bacillus biological with an SAR/defense elicitor: you’re approaching disease suppression from different biological mechanisms rather than relying on one approach alone.
They’re also relatively inexpensive and generally have a favorable safety profile when used according to the label. I use Bacillus products both as foliar applications and, where the label permits, in root-zone programs.
For foliar applications, good coverage is important. A compatible wetting agent can help improve coverage (yucca is great), and after significant rainfall outdoors, biological products may need to be reapplied according to the label because you’re relying on organisms remaining established on the plant surface.
Southern AG Biological Fungicide is another convenient source of
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and can be considerably less expensive than some specialty biological products. Just compare the
strain, concentration, and label directions rather than assuming products containing the same species are automatically interchangeable.
For storage i suggest fridge for the SABF or liquid based bacteria and write when u opened open. 12-16 months should be ur expire date. check if bottle has a date for expiration. dosage for foliar of SABF is 1-2T per gal of water for prevention and medium-higher mold pressure 2-5T of SABF per gallon of water
Amazon.com: Southern Ag Garden Friendly Biological Fungicide,16oz : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
