Latest Update 2nd August 2017.
Powdery Mildew
- Powdery
mildew is a fungal disease affecting a wide range of plants. It's caused
by various fungi in the order Erysiphales. Risk of infestation are greatest when the
weather starts to warm in spring and humidity is high.
- It has been a
regular visitor to my garden over the years infecting strawberries, peas,
cucumbers, beans and pumpkin. Affected
plants are easily identified since they develop white powdery spots on their
leaves and stems. These spots grow rapidly until the plant's foliage
shrivels and eventually dies.
Details
- Binomial
name
Blumeria Graminis.
- Family:
Erysiphaceae.
Why Powdery Mildew is a Pest.
- If
allowed to grow unchecked, powdery mildew will cover a crop, reduce its
capacity to photosynthesise, seriously reduce yields and eventually kill the
plants. It will spread from plant to
plant very quickly given favourable conditions.
Pest Control.
- Aerated compost tea
used
as a monthly foliar spray toughens plant foliage and provides protection
against powdery mildew infestation. However, new growth emerging
between
scheduled sprays is vulnerable, and spraying foliage already infested
with aerated
compost tea will not kill the fungi.
- Stronger
measures are needed, and at the first sign of an infestation of powdery mildew,
I use an organic fungicide to stop it spreading. I have found this to be
very effective, but it will not protect the plant for long and successive
spraying every few days or when the mildew reappears may be necessary.
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