Any hobby gardener can be affected by mildew fungi, because the species are widespread and occur in all weather conditions. Anyone who sees the first sign of an infestation should act quickly.
Powdery mildew settles on the upper surface of the leaves
Wrong mildew
Mushrooms of this group prefer cool and humid weather conditions. On the underside of the leaves, grayish mushroom lawns form, which occasionally have a violet hue.
field horsetail broth
Horsetail contains a lot of silica. These oxygen acids of silicon are important for the strength of plant cell walls. Silicon deposits in the tissue make it difficult for fungal spores to penetrate. Plants absorb the substance through their roots and direct it to leaves and shoots. Therefore, horsetail can help against powdery mildew when the herb is administered in the form of a liquid fertilizer.
This is how silica works:
- Plant accumulates more silicon in places with fungal growth
- impenetrable crusts form below the epidermis
- Fertilizing with silicic acid prevents mildew from spreading further
garlic broth
If the fungal infestation is in the early stages, treatment with garlic broth can help against powdery mildew. Cut four cloves of garlic and pour hot water over them. Let the brew steep and spray it on the affected areas every seven to ten days.
powdery mildew
These mushrooms are considered fair-weather mushrooms because they prefer warm conditions. A whitish coating on the upper side of the leaf, which later turns greyish, is typical.
milk
Milk helps against powdery mildew, because the microorganisms create an unfavorable environment for the fungus. Sodium phosphate strengthens the immune system and prevents infections. Spray the entire plant twice a week with a mixture of 1 part milk and 9 parts water.
rapeseed oil
Edible oils are rich in lecithins, with soybean oil having the highest concentration of all oils at two percent. These chemical compounds strengthen the defenses of the plants. Regular spraying reduces infestation.
baking soda
Sodium bicarbonate, which is contained in baking powder, has a weak alkaline reaction in water. After spraying, an environment develops on the leaves that powdery mildew does not like. Regular treatment with the spray solution can reduce the infestation.
tips
The black and yellow mushroom ladybird eats the whitish mushroom lawn with pleasure.