This is how you get rid of the disease

When and where does powdery mildew occur?

at mildew it is a fungal disease that affects both ornamental and useful plants. Plants that are weakened due to a previous illness or unfavorable site conditions are particularly at risk. The parasite occurs most frequently on the following plants:

• Roses
• phlox
• Asters
• Indian thistles
• delphinium
• Spindle bushes
• lilac
• Mahonia
• Maple trees
• Cucumber
• Grapevines
• Apple trees
• Strawberries
• Carrots

If the powdery mildew has found a host plant, its infestation is usually noticeable on the shoots and leaves. Here, depending on the species, the pest penetrates the leaf or simply sucks the nutrients and water out of the plant. This often causes the plant to die without your intervention.

Powdery mildew (Erysiphaceae)

Powdery mildew is a hose fungus that is popularly known as a fair-weather fungus. Why? Because this type of powdery mildew prefers warm, dry climates. In good conditions, the pest spreads explosively. Otherwise it multiplies through insects and the wind. Powdery mildew only appears on the upper side of the leaf. This shows a white coating that you can easily wipe off with your finger. Although this species does not penetrate the plant, it still removes nutrients and water from it with the help of suction extensions.

Downy mildew (Peronosporaceae)

The counterpart to powdery mildew is therefore called bad weather mushroom and lives up to its name with its preference for humid, humid climates. The egg fungus, which is actually a type of algae, eats its way into the plant and causes great damage there. Externally, this is noticeable in a gray-blue film on the underside of the leaves.

Damage to the plant

• Discoloration of the leaves
• The leaves dry out
• Curling up the leaves
• weak growth
• dry fruits
• burst fruits
• Death of the plant

Fight powdery mildew

A powdery mildew infestation that is recognized too late or is not treated leads in most cases to the death of the plant. In any case, the pest greatly reduces the appearance. The simplest solution, given the quick and reliable effect, would be to use a chemical fungicide. However, when you consider the long-term effects of such treatment, it quickly becomes clear how harmful such agents are. For one thing, your plant itself takes a lot of damage. If it is a fruit-bearing plant, it is no longer edible for health reasons after the chemical treatment. In addition, rainfall washes the toxins into the soil and spreads throughout your garden. Thus there are also other plants as well as animals that are native to the area Biotope prove to be quite useful affected. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to remove powdery mildew in a natural, environmentally friendly way:

Basic action

Powdery mildew has an easy time of it when the plant is already weakened due to an unfavorable choice of location. Therefore, you should already consider the requirements when planting. A strong plant can self-sufficiently prevent a mild infestation. Sufficient planting distance is very important so that there is still good air circulation.

Home remedies

The following solutions can be produced inexpensively and are also completely environmentally friendly:

• Milk (mix ratio 1: 9 with water)
• Soda (dissolve 1 packet in 2 L water with around 10 ml oil)
• Garlic (brew 1 clove in 1 L boiling water)
• Field horsetail (Either 300 g of fresh or 30 g of dried field horsetail infuse in a ratio of 1: 5 with hot water)

Predators

Would you like to make the fight against powdery mildew as effortless as possible? Then leave it to predators like

• Ladybugs
• Parasitic wasps
• Earwigs
• or lace flies

the work. Either you lure the beneficial insects into the garden yourself or you can buy a population from specialist shops. The predators do not harm your plant itself.