It is not unjustified to warn against putting materials contaminated with fungi or viruses on the compost. Not all spores or viruses are eliminated by the heat. This is especially true for the pathogens that trigger powdery mildew. Plants with downy mildew, on the other hand, are harmless for the compost.

Plants with downy mildew can be composted

Can plants with mildew be composted?

The question of whether plants with mildew are allowed on the compost can be answered with both yes and no. It depends on which mildew disease it is.

There is no risk of downy mildew, since the triggering spores are only pseudofungi and are not stable. They need living plants to survive. They are eliminated by rotting and the heat in the compost.

Powdery mildew, on the other hand, is triggered by spores that are very stable and can also withstand high temperatures. Leaves and parts of plants with powdery mildew therefore belong in the household waste and not in the compost.

Difference between powdery mildew and downy mildew

It is not easy for the layperson to recognize which type of mildew is involved in an infestation. If you want to be absolutely sure, it is therefore better to dispose of all infested plants in the household waste.

A few distinguishing features:

Powdery mildew:

  • white coating on top
  • rarer on underside
  • Infestation also on fruits and flowers
  • mainly occurs in dry weather

Wrong mildew:

  • Mushroom lawn on bottom
  • not on top
  • Coating more gray than white
  • Occurs when it is too wet

The heat in the compost is crucial

After just a few weeks, the compost develops very high temperatures, especially in the middle - provided you have set it up correctly.

The temperatures in the hot rotting room are up to 70 degrees. In this heat, a very large proportion of the pathogens and fungal spores found in the garden are killed.

When composting contaminated plant material, it can be useful to occasionally check the temperatures. Then you can be absolutely sure that you will not later transmit any diseases by fertilizing with the compost.

tips

If you want to compost plants with downy mildew and other less heat-resistant viruses, you should turn the compost heap more frequently. Make sure the outer layers get into the middle as you do this. That's where the hot rot is strongest.

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Care tips