I then started the rotation again, sometimes combining Mimik with one of the other systemic fungicides.  Tremendous results were obtained in that first month.  NO blackspot was observed in the garden, and more importantly there were lots of long stems and buds. The best growth I’ve every received from any product I’ve ever used. I’m not saying that Mimik alone produced these results. I use plenty of organic fertilizers and a couple times a year I also apply some granular fertilizers as well. But the results were very noticeable. My customer actually came out of his house and patted me on the back and told me that I was a genius. Other gardeners would ask “what do you have in that sprayer?”

My little test bench back at the nursery did get some blackspot and didn’t give four times the growth like I would have expected. There was not enough benefit to justify spraying Mimik every week. I have been using Mimik in all the gardens we maintain for the past two seasons. I add it to any systemic fungicide or insecticide. I don’t mix Mimik with contact type fungicides like copper or manzate products. I only add the Mimik with products that would benefit from being carried into the plant, i.e., systemic pesticides and liquid fertilizers. Mimik contains its own buffering agent that makes the spray solution spread out on the leaf surface and carries Mimik and anything else that you have added, into the plant.

At the beginning of this article I mentioned that Mimik is a relatively new approach to plant health and nutrition due to the Phosphorous acid in its formulation. Phosphonates as a fungicide have been around for quite some time in a fungicide called Aliette (fosety-al). Until recently, because of patents, other similar phosphonate fungicides could not be developed in this country. For years in other countries where the patents did not apply, phosphonates in fungicides are widely used.

 So, what makes Mimik work?  To explain, let’s go back to the chemical equations for Phosphoric acid and Phosphorous acid. The one oxygen atom difference in their make up determines how they work to benefit the plant. Both easily enter the plant and are mobile inside. The difference is that phosphoric acid is readily converted into two other compounds that become the source of elemental phosphorus in fertilizer that is essential for plant growth. Phosphorous acid releases the phosphonate ion (HOP₃^-2) called phosphite. Phosphorous acid does not get metabolized in plants. In layman’s terms, it is not recognized by the plant. It is an unknown. This lack of recognition causes the plant to activate its own natural defense response. In rose plants, it turns out that their natural defense response is to produce more flowers. In addition to stimulating the plants natural defenses, phosphorous acid also inhibits a process called oxidative phosphorylation. In other words, it robs oxygen from the water mold fungi that I wrote of earlier.  Mimik’s highly systemic properties make it an excellent foliar fertilizer and carrier for other systemic pesticides.  Simply put, Mimik makes Banner Maxx, Compass and Cleary’s work better. Using Mimik too frequently might cause a depletion of the plants natural antibodies, which would explain the less than expected performance of my test bench at the nursery. I believe that the products that stimulate plants natural defenses, like Mimik and the Harpin protein in Messenger, are the wave of the future.

 Mimik is currently being tested in the ARS gardens in Louisiana. Lots of folks in the southeast are using Mimik with excellent results. Greg Sanders, of Lexington, KY asked if I had ever experience any “burn” while using Mimik. Not that I am recommending you do this, but as part of my testing process, I have used Mimik at triple the recommended rate in cool temperatures and not experienced any burn to the foliage. It is possible to over use Mimik and cause a salts build up that could burn the foliage.  Or if used with a product like Kocide, causing too much copper to become available --- which would burn the leaves. 

 Most who have used Mimik have noticed very favorable results in a short period of time.  Ray Guillebeau, a well known exhibitor from Jacksonville, Florida, writes “In late fall of 2005 I began to hear of a new fungicide being tested on ornamentals. Always one to try to get an edge on the other guy, I tried to find out more.  In January of 2006, at the Deep South Mid-Winter meeting, I found that a friend of mine, Geoff Coolidge of Cool Roses was testing this new product named Mimik.  After hearing of the remarkable results Geoff was getting in his own test trials, I decided to try it myself.  I pruned my roses in late February with the intention of having roses for a show in Pasadena, CA on April 22, almost 3,000 miles away. The California shows are well known as having some of the most perfect specimens in their shows. How would Florida grown roses fare against those from California, with the show in their own back yards?  I sprayed Mimik two weeks after pruning in combination with Banner Maxx and Dithane M45. Two weeks later, it was Mimik and Banner Maxx. Finally, as the cool Spring weather was hanging on a bit longer, two weeks later with Mimik alone. The results were simply amazing to me. Stems were longer and more stout, foliage was larger but still in proportion with the stem size. There was also more overall growth. (i.e., more stems).  Bloom size and color was enhanced. Best of all, no black spot to be seen anywhere or any other fungal problem for that matter. I was able to attend three rose shows this past spring competing mainly in the miniature and mini flora classes.  Of the six Queens that were available to be won at those three shows, I won four of them including one in California.  Several judges commented to me that my winners were clearly superior specimens and questioned how I had done it. Only one word was necessary in reply, Mimik.

We are pleased to be one of the few suppliers of Mimik to non commercial rose growers and exhibitors.  Mimik is  available in gallon and now, for smaller gardens, quart sizes. Gallons are $60 plus shipping and quarts are $20 plus shipping.