Powdery mildew is an aggressive and, above all, stubborn plant pest. If symptoms appear on susceptible plant species, you should act quickly to save them and prevent the spread of the fungus. The easiest way would certainly be to use chemical agents. In view of the disadvantages, however, this method is not particularly recommended. Anyone who knows something knows that crop protection can also be environmentally friendly.
Powdery mildew should only be treated with chemicals in exceptional cases
Chemistry in the home garden?
With chemical means, they succeed in killing mildew with just a few applications. This benefit is probably the only advantage. The list of consequential damages, on the other hand, is much longer:
- Pollutants get into the groundwater…
- … thereby corroding the roots of other plants
- valuable nutrients are removed from the soil
- own health risk in case of contact
- expensive purchase
When are chemical agents considered?
Only in exceptional cases there is no way around chemical agents to combat powdery mildew. Some alternatives, which you will find below, unfortunately only help against powdery mildew. If none of the organic remedies work, as a last resort, get a fungicide to stop the spread of mildew and protect other plants. Before doing so, however, you should carefully check whether it really is powdery mildew.
Alternative biological means
Numerous biological agents are now known that have proven to be just as effective. The home remedies mentioned can be easily made yourself, so that you even save money.
Biological pesticides
In specialist shops you can also get fungicides that do not require any chemicals. In order to choose a good product, you should pay attention to the composition. Extracts are recommended
- from fennel
- from anise
- from knotweed
- from microorganisms
- or from lactic acid cultures
- from silica
home remedies
- Plant partners such as basil, chervil. Garlic, chives or foxgloves
- milk or buttermilk
- baking soda
- predators like ladybugs
- baking powder
- Vegetable broths made from garlic or horsetail