table of contents
- Recognize powdery mildew
- Is powdery mildew poisonous or non-toxic?
- Are grapes edible with powdery mildew?
- Are cucumbers edible with powdery mildew?
- Is pumpkin edible with powdery mildew?
- Are zucchini with powdery mildew edible?
- frequently asked Questions
Powdery mildew infects many plants. Economically, it poses great challenges for agriculture and viticulture. But are fruits like grapes, cucumbers & Co. edible despite powdery mildew infestation? You can find the answer in the following article.
In a nutshell
- Powdery mildew mainly spreads on the foliage
- there are two different types that affect fruit plants
- rash or stomach discomfort possible with grapes
- Vegetables affected by powdery mildew are generally still edible
Recognize powdery mildew
Before thinking about a possible risk from eating fruits with powdery mildew, the infestation should first be clearly identified as this. Typical identifying features make it easy:
Powdery mildew
- white spots on top of leaf
- later turn gray to brown
- a light "flood carpet" forms that feels sticky
- Topping smells musty
- At an advanced stage, the fruit may become warped and discolored
- Infested fruits: peel harden, burst and / or dark discoloration
Wrong mildew
- gray or gray-purple fungal lawns on the underside of the leaves
- only lightening or yellowish spots on the upper side of the leaf
- Leaf dies over time
Note: Whether true or false powdery mildew, it is a question of fungi, which in most cases are limited to the leaves. The fruits then remain unaffected, but this is not the case with every fruit plant.
Is powdery mildew poisonous or non-toxic?
A powdery mildew infestation is inherently non-toxic and therefore does not pose a risk to human health, at least in theory. However, it can have a toxic effect on the leaves, which can cause allergic reactions. This has no effect on fruits such as pumpkin, zucchini or cucumber, because as mentioned, this only affects the plant leaves. This can be different with grapes, however.
The following health reactions can occur in the context mentioned:
- Difficulty breathing, especially in those with asthma
- skin rash
- stomach pain
- Indigestion
Note: Because children and especially small children are sensitive people, they should not eat fruits from plants with powdery mildew.
Are grapes edible with powdery mildew?
The fruits and leaves hang close together. This is why it happens that the powdery mildew fungi (accidentally) spread from the leaves to the grapes. However, a restriction of the harmlessness to health for the consumption of grapes is not to be expected as long as no damage appears on the fruits.
Tip: Because fruits can generally be damaged by parasites or pathogens, it is advisable to sort out damaged specimens when they are harvested.
Indirect health hazard
Another problem with possible health consequences can arise, namely when winemakers and farmers use pesticides against the fungus. They are often used because the infestation can affect the taste of the grapes. The more widespread the powdery mildew is, the more inedible the grapes become. To prevent this, pesticides are used early on, which are known to cause discomfort. Those who grow grapes themselves should of course refrain from using pesticides.
Are cucumbers edible with powdery mildew?
Compared to cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) they show up Powdery mildew mushrooms as absolutely harmless. Above all, the infestation is limited to the leaves, which are present in significantly lower quantities than on vines. Nevertheless, every cucumber should be cleaned thoroughly before consumption, because other pests can also have settled there.
Is pumpkin edible with powdery mildew?
As with garden cucumbers, it is also with the pumpkin (Cucurbita), its mother plant with one Mildew fungus is infested. After thorough cleaning, it can be further processed and safely eaten.
Are zucchini with powdery mildew edible?
Like the classic pumpkins and cucumbers, zucchinis (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo convar. giromontiina) to the cucurbit family (Cucurbitaceae). Powdery mildew mushrooms As a rule, the fruits do not colonize and can therefore be eaten without any problems despite the mildew infestation of the plant.
frequently asked Questions
Yes, if powdery mildew mushrooms have "got lost" on it, it is sufficient to wash the fruit thoroughly. Make sure, however, that there are no cracks or the like in the skin through which the fungus could get into the interior of the fruit, although the probability is very low. In this case, the fruits should be disposed of and not consumed in order to avoid possible allergic reactions.
So far there are no known fruits that are not edible. Even if the powdery mildew fungi are considered non-toxic, you should still discard fruits that have been damaged by the fungi. The risk of allergic reactions is significantly higher here than with fruits without damage - and not to forget: the changes in taste.
Powdery mildew fungi are active between the beginning of April and August, although this can also shift due to climatic changes. While downy mildew mushrooms love moisture, real powdery mildew mushrooms are attracted to dry, warm "fair weather" air. They are also the ones whose spores are released in late summer or autumn and overwinter on the plants and thus remain present. “False fungi” do not form their spores until spring and overwinter outside of plants.
If the powdery mildew fungi in cucumbers, grapes & Co. have little or no effect in terms of consumption, this does not mean that they should continue to spread undisturbed. The more fungus that forms, the more photosynthesis is restricted. Powdery mildew is less dangerous for the plants here, but downy mildew often causes severe leaf loss and subsequent plant death without control. It is therefore always advisable to combat powdery mildew.
It is recommended to use a home remedy instead of a chemical club. Baking powder is recommended here. Baking soda. First add a sachet of baking powder and 20 milliliters of rapeseed oil to two liters of water and mix well. Fill the mixture into a spray container and spray the plants dripping wet with it. Don't forget the undersides of the leaves! In the case of acute infestation, spray every other day for a week. Then spray regularly as a preventive measure.