Less Noise, More Green: Powdery Mildew Makes its Annual Appearance

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Powdery Mildew Makes its Annual Appearance




Every summer.  Every single summer I’m ‘blessed’ with a visit from my old friend powdery mildew. Hot humid weather is just the condition it likes and crowded plants are all the invitation it needs. Hello, Mildew. 
 
Powdery mildew is especially partial to the squash family and it spreads really fast. Leaves start out with small dots of what looks like white powder. This rapidly intensifies to where the whole leaf is covered, turning the leaves yellow, reducing the yield, wilting the plant and eventually killing it.  

If you catch and treat it early enough you can fend it off. I use an organic remedy which I apply at least once a week and more often if it rains.

 


Baking Soda Spray

1.5 tablespoons of baking soda
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 cup of warm water
1.5 gallons of warm water.
Mix the baking soda and oil into the cup of water until dissolved. Pour into the1.5 gallons of water and mix well.  Fill a spray bottle and apply immediately.

From The Vegetable Gardeners Bible
By Edward C. Smith

Do you have a treatment  you like for powdery mildew?

See you in the garden,

Sue

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