I see episodes of tomato septoria often in summer, but don't see how disinfecting cages might help. No research has ever shown active contamination by equipment, and I've never noticed an association. Straw mulch has been found to suppress septoria, but since there is no resistance available, you d what you can.

I cluster tomatoes in several spots in the garden -- 4 plants here and 6 there -- as a preventive measure. It's been my experience that when cool rain sets the stage, septoria will sweep through one bed but not another. The edges of the woods are full of horsenettle, and I think that's where the inoculum comes from.

The fungus Septoria lycopersici requires living tissue to overwinter. It can't survive on cages. Plus the fungus spores are airborne and require high moisture/humidity to infect the leaves. Disinfect your cages if you wish but it won't prevent septoria, the most common world-wide disease of tomatoes.

You'll find much more discussion about this over on the Growing Tomatoes forum.

Dave

Ha -- well I must have been reading the wrong info, or misunderstanding it. I would much rather not give my tomato cages a bath!

Thanks for the info, and I will find my way over to the tomato forum for more.

Link to several previous discussions about this.

http://www.gardenweb.com/gardenweb/query/disinfecting-cages/topic=tomato

Septoria propagules, the spores, can be found anywhere....including cages, stakes, pots, fuzzy little insects, birds, in the wind, etc. Good sanitation practices are important, but not a guarantee against infection.

heat sterilization of tomatoes cage works better then bleach

Grid, describe that procedure, please. With a steam machine or flame weeder?

bonfire according to Charles Wilber

like you could steam or flame cage with out missing parts

if cage is coated full bleach immersion might be only option