One of the most widespread plant diseases in the ornamental and kitchen garden does not stop at mint. The fungal infection, aptly named powdery mildew, attacks the tender leaflets in the form of a white coating. As a result, the foliage turns an unappetizing brown, dries up and sadly falls to the ground. Here’s how to fight the disease with natural means:
- remove all infested leaves
- if in doubt, cut off whole shoots close to the ground
- spray the infected mint with a mixture of 1 part milk and 9 parts water
- as a preventive measure, spray all neighboring plants as well
Very well proven for the treatment of powdery mildew is a tea made from garlic. Squeeze a fresh clove of garlic and pour boiling water over it. Let steep for an hour, strain and cool. Poured into a pressurized sprayer, apply the solution to the diseased mint. Do not forget to wet the undersides of the leaves as well.
