Powdery mildew is one of the most common pests on ornamental and crop plants. If it is not detected or if action is taken too late, the fungus will lead to the death of the plant or at least reduce crop yields. Since there are two different species with different life requirements, the treatment proves to be very complex. But once you have found out what type of mildew it is, you can use numerous effective home remedies. On this page you will find background knowledge and tips on how to remove the fungus.
Powdery mildew affects both ornamental and crop plants
When and where does powdery mildew appear?
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects both ornamental and crop plants. Plants that are weakened due to a previous illness or unfavorable site conditions are particularly at risk. The parasite occurs most frequently on the following plants:
- roses
- phlox
- asters
- Indian thistles
- delphinium
- Spindle bushes
- lilac
- mahonia
- maple trees
- cucumbers
- grape vines
- apple trees
- strawberries
- carrots
Once the powdery mildew has found a host plant, its infestation is usually noticeable on the shoots and leaves. Here, depending on the species, the pest penetrates the leaf or just sucks the nutrients and water out of the plant. This often results in the plant dying without your intervention.
Powdery mildew (Erysiphaceae)
Powdery mildew is a sac fungus, which is also popularly known as the fair-weather fungus. Why? Because this mildew species prefers warm, dry climates. Under good conditions, the pest spreads explosively. Otherwise, it multiplies through insects and the wind. Powdery mildew only appears on the upper side of the leaf. There is a white coating here that you can easily wipe off with your finger. Although this species does not penetrate the plant, it still extracts nutrients and water from it with the help of sucking appendages.
Downy mildew (Peronosporaceae)
The counterpart to powdery mildew is therefore referred to as the bad weather fungus and lives up to its name with its preference for humid, humid climates. The egg fungus, which is actually a type of algae, eats into the plant and causes great damage there. Externally, this is noticeable by a grey-blue film on the undersides of the leaves.
Damage to the plant
- discoloration of the leaves
- drying out of the leaves
- curling of the leaves
- weak growth
- dry fruits
- cracked fruit
- death of the plant
combat powdery mildew
A powdery mildew infestation that is recognized too late or left untreated usually leads to the death of the plant. In any case, the pest greatly reduces the appearance. The simplest solution would be to use a chemical fungicide, given its fast and reliable action. However, if you consider the long-term effects of such treatment, it quickly becomes clear how harmful such agents are. On the one hand, your plant itself takes a lot of damage. If it is a fruit-bearing plant, these are no longer edible after the chemical treatment for health reasons. In addition, the rainfall flushes the toxins into the soil and spreads throughout your garden. This means that other plants and animals that prove to be quite useful in the local biotope are also affected. Fortunately, there are numerous methods to remove powdery mildew in a natural, environmentally friendly way:
Basic Measures
Powdery mildew has an easy time if the plant is already weakened due to an unfavorable choice of location. Therefore, you should already consider the requirements when planting. A strong plant can hold off a mild infestation on its own. Sufficient planting distance is very important so that there is still good air circulation.
home remedies
The following solutions can be produced inexpensively and are also completely environmentally friendly:
- Milk (mix ratio 1:9 with water)
- Baking soda (dissolve 1 packet in 2 L water with about 10 ml oil)
- Garlic (blanch 1 clove in 1 L boiling water)
- Field horsetail (either 300 g fresh or 30 g dried field horsetail in a ratio of 1:5 with hot water)
predators
Would you like to make the fight against powdery mildew as effortless as possible? Then it's best to leave them to predators like
- ladybugs
- parasitic wasps
- earwigs
- or lacewings
the work. Either you lure the beneficial insects into the garden yourself or you buy a population in specialist shops. The predators do not harm your plant itself.