Powdery mildew can be recognized by the white floury matting that covers the leaves and sometimes the stems or flowers. Infected leaves eventually curl up and take on a blistered appearance. And when this cryptogamic disease settles on the foliage of fruit trees, it quickly becomes hard to dislodge it…
The pathogenic spores are then spread with the wind, watering and rain as well as the contacts between foliages. And without realizing it, the gardener who uses infested garden tools can also spread it from one plant to another. Here are some natural tips for preventing and treating tough powdery mildew.
Contents
Which plants are most affected?
Keeping a close eye on vulnerable plants allows gardeners to better control the spread of this fungus. The sooner you apply your natural anti-oidum tips, the better you can protect your plants.
Trees and Shrubs: Any fruit tree (apple, peach, currant, pear, grapevine, quince, hawthorn…), maple, roses or oak.
Vegetables: Strawberry, corn, leeks, melons, gherkins, carrots, radishes, eggplant, potatoes, cucurbits, cucumbers, chicory and beets.
Natural gardening tips to prevent and limit powdery mildew
Prevention:
-Space plantings well apart. This will limit contamination between crops.
-Avoid watering the leaves, especially in hot weather. Only water the base of the plants. Preferably, water in the morning, as it is cooler than in the evening.
-Avoid fertilizers that are too rich in nitrogen.
-Look for plant varieties that are not very sensitive to fungi.
-Ensure good air circulation in the branches of fruit trees.
-Monitor your plants. In case of a cool night or morning dew followed by mild daytime temperatures, the risk of propagation is high.
Upon infestation:
-Remove infested leaves immediately. Go carefully so as not to shake the spores all over when cutting.
-Do not dispose of these leaves, branches or affected parts in the compost. Burning them is the only effective solution.
-Be reactive: act at the first symptoms.
Natural tips and recipes against powdery mildew
Put your milk to good use
Cow’s milk or sheep’s milk is fatty and has fungal properties, which helps to drive out the fungus. To do this, dilute one dose with nine doses of rainwater. Then spray your solution on the infected leaves in dry, windless weather. If possible, don’t do it in full sun. Then repeat the treatment every two weeks.
Tip: Use semi-skimmed milk. This way you won’t get the rancid smell of whole milk.
A homemade method
Garden weeds are a great help. For your rose bush, a decoction of horsetail stems can make all the difference. As for the apple tree, it will appreciate a decoction of nettle roots! After harvesting, simply let them dry. Then mix them with water (100 g per liter). Then bring it to a boil for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, let cool and finally filter. Dilute the decoction to 20% for treatment.
A treatment with bicarbonate
Mix 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate for 1 l of water. Then add 3 teaspoons of olive oil. That’s it, it’s ready! Be sure to follow the recipe to avoid burning the leaves. All you have to do is treat the affected parts of your plants with this solution. Repeat one application per week.
A garlic solution
Garlic essential oil is very powerful against fungi. Dilute 20 drops in a small amount of black soap. Then, dilute a spoonful of clay in 1 liter of rainwater at room temperature. Finally, add the black soap to the garlic. All you have to do is spray it on! Another option: use a decoction of garlic to spray on contaminated foliage.
The final word:
Cryptogamic diseases linked to parasitic fungi (mildew, peach blister, scab, etc.) leave no respite for plants in the garden or vegetable garden. The temptation is then great to spray a curative fungicide rich in chemical products. Nevertheless, there is no lack of alternative natural solutions to fight against diseases and pests. We hope that this article on natural anti oidium tips will have proved it to you! To eradicate it, there is not only the debatable Bordeaux mixture with copper sulfate and the treatment with sulfur!
