Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants. It loves humid conditions, and you will often see it at this time of year affecting grapes, roses, sunflowers, apples, begonias, members of the cucumber family, and many others. The distinctive white or grey powdery
spots can appear on leaves, stems and fruit, and when it’s left to its own devices, the disease can seriously set plants back, so you need to limit its spread.

Powdery mildew treatment

Here are some simple steps to help keep it at bay:

1. START by removing as much oft he affected growth as you can. This is a huge source of fungal spores that could spread to newer parts of the plant. Also clean up fallen decaying leaves under the plant. Put all the affected material in your council green waste bin, not the compost.

2. MIX up an organic fungicide such as wettable sulfur or eco-fungicide in pressure sprayer. Shake the container well to help dissolve the concentrate.

3. SPRAY the remaining plant thoroughly on both the upper and lower surfaces of leaves and stems. Keep an eye on the plant in the following days and continue to remove affected foliage as soon as the symptoms appear. This may keep things under control, but if you notice a build-up of disease, reapply the organic fungicide.

Header image credit: Anna Hutchcroft