Powdery mildew poses a particular challenge in the cultivation of tomatoes because conventional sprays are counterproductive in biological disease control. You can find out here why this is the case and how you can still take action against the fungal infection.

Sprays on tomatoes - fight evil with evil?

If a mealy-white patina develops on the leaves of tomato plants in summer, the fungal infection powdery mildew has struck. In the fight against this widespread disease, a wide range of biological sprays is now available. The catch is that the sword of Damocles of brown rot is constantly hovering over the tomato bed. So should the devil be cast out with Beelzebub?

The top priority in defending against a devastating late blight is the consistent protection of a tomato plant from moisture. Consequently, it makes little sense to trigger the hated late blight with milk, soft soap solution or plant manure against comparatively harmless powdery mildew. Good to know that there are reasonable alternatives. In harmony with nature and without bringing out the chemical club.

Counteract powdery mildew with bedrock

It has been in the ground since the Palaeozoic and has numerous advantages for the environmentally consciously cultivated hobby garden. Among other things, rock flour contains silicic acid, which protects plant cells against infection with powdery mildew. How to use the remedy:

  • Fill a powder syringe with rock powder
  • dust on the dewy leaves early in the morning
  • Repeat every 2-3 days until the infestation pressure subsides

As a positive side effect, the primary rock meal provides the heavy eater with additional nutrients because it contains valuable minerals and trace elements.

These beneficial insects simply graze on fungal spores

Beneficial insects now play a central role in organically managed hobby gardens. This does not only apply to the expulsion of pests. The following two insects like to eat powdery mildew spores:

  • Mushroom Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata): The larvae of these ladybirds feed mainly on powdery mildew
  • Sixteen-spotted ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata): The adult beetles devour the fungal spores just like their offspring
  • Squirrel hover fly (Myathropa florea): These and other sawflies eat mildew fungi, among other things

Beneficial insects like to settle in the naturally designed garden. Offer places to retreat to, such as an insect hotel, (11.33€) rotten tree trunks, piles of leaves and brushwood. In addition, the specialist trade offers specially bred larvae to target the insects in the garden or greenhouse.

tips and tricks

If you plant tomatoes in a mixed culture with basil and garlic, these measures prevent an infestation with powdery mildew.

Category:

Vegetable garden