All About Treating Powdery Mildew
Unlike most fungal diseases, powdery mildew will grow in dry conditions as well as damp conditions. The spores are spread by the wind and will form white or grayish circular patterns on the outside of plant leaves. This fungus causes the leaves to yellow and dry out. Most times the leaves will drop prematurely and the plant becomes weak. It can kill whole branches and in severe cases may kill the entire plant.
How to Treat Powdery Mildew
- Spray with a fungicide when symptoms first appear. We recommend Daconil, Liquid Copper, Mancobez and Ortho Garden Disease Control to mention a few.
- Prune off infected branches.
- Sanitize pruner between cuttings to prevent spreading.
- When possible, thin plants to provide good air circulation.
If you have any questions, just ask the home & garden coaches at any Stauffers location or online! Together we can help you be successful.
I would really appreciate your giving advice that does not include the use of dangerous chemicals. With the overwhelming increase in Autism and Cancer diagnoses, it behooves us to find more natural ways to handle pests and other problems.
There are black leaves —maiinly at the top—of my spearmint plants. Is this a form of fungus?
An all natural but slower method of killing mildew is by mixing one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts water and saturating foliage until it’s dripping off the plant. Do this mid-morning for several days until you see that it’s gone then apply to keep it at bay.