Powdery mildew is a powdery mildew-like appearance and texture that affects plants, often in the form of circular patches. It usually appears on leaves, but can also take root on stems, flowers and fruit. Infected leaves can shrivel, crack, yellow, and eventually dry out. To solve the problem, you need to apply a fungicide spray. Fortunately, you can make an organic one at home. In addition, you may want to take other precautions to help prevent the onset of this disease.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare Various Fungicidal Solutions for Nebulization
Step 1. Try baking soda with a vegetable oil and dish soap
Baking soda is a key ingredient in the composition of biological fungicides. In order for it to adhere effectively to the leaves, you need to combine it with an oil and a cleanser. Mix 15 g (1 tablespoon) with 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of vegetable oil and 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of dish soap in 4 liters of water.
- Mix the ingredients together to blend them and transfer the solution to a clean spray bottle.
- You can also use an oil-based soap instead of using the two separate ingredients. Just combine 30 ml (2 tablespoons) with 55-60 g (4 tablespoons) of baking soda in 4 liters of water.
- You can replace baking soda with potassium. It is less aggressive, but on plants it is as effective as baking soda.
Step 2. Make a water and vinegar solution
Mix 30-45 ml (3-4 tablespoons) of white or apple vinegar in 4 liters of water. Pour the solution into a clean spray bottle.
As for vinegar, use the indicated doses because too high a concentration risks burning the plants. Test the solution on a leaf before sprinkling it liberally on infected plants
Step 3. Try a neem oil solution
Neem is a plant from which an oil known for its insecticidal and fungicidal properties is obtained. Mix 5 ml (1 teaspoon) with 2.5 ml of dish soap in 1 liter of water. Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle.
You can find neem oil at garden stores, nurseries, some home improvement stores, and online
Step 4. Try a solution composed of milk and water
It may surprise you, but milk also has antifungal properties and is effective against powdery mildew. Mix 350ml with 850ml of water and pour the solution into a clean spray bottle.
You can use both whole and skim milk because the fungicidal properties are contained in proteins, not fats
Step 5. Make a garlic and water solution
Put 2 peeled garlic bulbs in the blender and add 1 liter of water. Turn on the appliance for 5-10 minutes. Filter the mixture with cheesecloth and dilute it with each use, combining 1 part with 9 parts of water in a spray bottle.
Store the undiluted mixture in the refrigerator in a specially labeled container until the sprayed mixture runs out
Part 2 of 3: Apply the Homemade Solution Correctly
Step 1. Test the homemade solution on the plant before using it
Sometimes, fungicidal sprays can burn and damage the leaves. Whatever solution you have chosen to prepare, at first spray it on a limited point of the plant to be treated - for example, a small leaf at the bottom - before applying it diffusely. Spray it abundantly so as to impregnate the whole leaf and let it dry.
If the leaf begins to turn yellow or brown, the mixture is likely to be too aggressive. Try various types of fungicidal solutions on different leaves until you find the one that works best
Step 2. Alternate the mixes so that the powdery mildew does not develop resistance
Powdery mildew is a stubborn fungus that adapts and creates resistance to the agents that fight it. As soon as you find a couple of effective solutions, alternate them so that the powdery mildew does not become resistant to their action.
For example, try using the baking soda spray for one week and the one with milk or vinegar the next week
Step 3. Treat infected plants in the morning, no more than once a week
To start a powdery mildew treatment, you should spray the fungicide in the morning to allow it to evaporate in the sun. Generally, improvements are seen already after the first application.
Wait at least a week before proceeding with the second application and only if there is no improvement after the first
Step 4. Wipe the leaves with a clean cloth to roughly remove mold
Before treating infected leaves, wipe them with a clean, dry cloth to eliminate the most obvious traces of powdery mildew and reduce the amount of mold that tends to fall on the ground once the solution is sprayed.
Alternatively, rub the infected leaves against each other
Step 5. Wait for the mixture to drop from the leaves
When using a homemade fungicide solution, spray it on top of each infected leaf generous enough to make it drip. Do not dry it, but let it fall and evaporate naturally.
Step 6. Beware of chemical fungicides
These are effective products which, however, risk causing other problems in the garden. They can damage the good microorganisms in the soil, as well as bees and other pollinating insects that help keep the garden thriving. They can also affect the safety of the vegetables they are applied to, so carefully follow all instructions in the package if you decide to use them on vegetables from your garden.
Since it is very easy to prepare a biological fungicide at home, it is worthwhile to resort to this kind of treatment before relying on chemical solutions
Part 3 of 3: Hold Off and Prevent Oidium
Step 1. Trim the infected leaves at the bottom of the plant to reduce the spread of mold
If you notice a powdery mildew infection in time, you can prevent it from spreading by removing the infected leaves with a pair of scissors or shears. Do not compost them because mold risks spreading in the soil and contaminating other plants.
Throw infected leaves into the trash can to avoid the risk of powdery mildew spreading
Step 2. Make sure that the air circulates properly between the plants
Powdery mildew thrives when there is moisture, so try placing plants in spacious flower beds that are exposed to a light breeze. If you can, turn on a fan in their direction on hot, humid days.
Move plants to pots in open areas and outdoors during the summer if they have become moldy from indoors. Fresh air will help decrease the recurrence of the fungal infection
Step 3. Expose them to sunlight
Too much shade prevents the leaves from drying out after rain and watering. In adequate quantities, the sun makes plants stronger and less vulnerable to infection. Grow them according to the lighting needs of each one.
If you live in a rainy or cloudy area, choose garden plants that can grow in these conditions
Step 4. Potale if they are too leafy
Since plants need good air circulation, they are especially vulnerable to powdery mildew when overloaded with leaves. So, prune them if they have foliage that obstructs the passage of sunlight to neighboring ones, and eliminate weak or dead plants and leaves every two weeks.
If they are healthy but are competing for resources, move them to more spacious pots or beds to give them the air and light they need
Step 5. Don't overwater them
If the leaves remain moist, they can become the target of powdery mildew. Water the plants near the base, allowing the water to soak into the soil before pouring more. Do not water the garden on rainy days to avoid them taking too much water.
