As far as plant diseases go, powdery white mildew is not something you have to panic over if you notice it in your flower or vegetable garden. It is a common fungal disease for plants and can easily be remedied with some care and a few tips.
Powdery mildew is a fungus that plagues almost all gardeners. Regardless of how well you tend your garden, chances are you will come across powdery mildew at some point. The good news is there are several ways to try and prevent, as well as cure it, with both chemical and natural remedies.
Prevention:
- Remove the conditions in which it flourishes namely humid and shady areas, crowded planted areas and poor air circulation.
- Increase air circulation by removing some of the vegetation on the plant to increase air flow around the plant. This will help keep powdery mildew at bay.
- Because some plants, like roses, bee balm and lilacs are more susceptible to powdery mildew than others, ask staff at the nursery which varieties are more resistant and purchase those. Also, if you find you do have highly susceptible plants, try planting those varieties in full sun as this will help to stave off the fungus.
- When you are watering your garden, don’t water your plants from above. Also, water your plants earlier in the day, rather than later when it becomes cooler.
Homemade powdery mildew remedy:
- Take two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of dish soap or vegetable oil and dissolve in one cup of warm water.
- Once cooled, add that one cup mixture to a gallon of water and let dissolve
- Put into a clean sprayer and spray plants weekly or bi-weekly until frost.
To get help with any of your garden maintenance needs, contact Natural Images Landscaping Ltd. in Muskoka. They will assist you in choosing the best plants for your garden and help you solve any garden problem you may encounter. Call them today at 705-646-0610 or visit them at www.naturalimagesmuskoka.com.
