Even a greenhouse cannot protect your plants from mildew infestation. In poor conditions, temperature and humidity even favor the growth of the fungus. In this article you will learn which location conditions you should avoid and what you should pay particular attention to in return.
Powdery mildew is also spreading in greenhouses
Formation of powdery mildew
There are two types of powdery mildew:
- the powdery mildew
- and downy mildew
The real powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is the so-called fair-weather fungus. It owes this nickname to its ability to spread in warm temperatures and dry air. If the air in your greenhouse warms up, the fungus finds optimal conditions.
The false mildew
On the other hand, downy mildew, also known as the bad weather fungus, prefers wet site conditions. Your plants are protected from precipitation in a greenhouse, but due to the warm temperatures there is also very high humidity. The fungus finds an ideal breeding ground on wet leaves.
Prevent
- if you want to harvest vegetables and fruit, you should use resistant varieties from the start
- spray your plants with a decoction of field horsetail or garlic or a mixture of milk and water. The acid keeps the fungus away
- regulate the humidity by ventilating your greenhouse regularly
- create a mixed culture in your greenhouse. In addition to susceptible plants, you should sow herbs such as garlic, basil, foxglove, chervil or chives
- do not plant your plants too close to you so that the air can circulate sufficiently
- regularly check for condensation on the walls of your greenhouse
- also make sure that the air is not too dry
- do not over-fertilize your plants. Otherwise, you inhibit their natural defense mechanism
- Natural predators such as ladybugs also feel at home in a greenhouse
- You can get special, germ-free soil from specialist retailers. Alternatively, coconut soil has proven itself
- regularly remove the weeds between the plants