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Powdery Mildew Treatment

Bhakti Satalkar
Powdery mildew is a disease that can develop very fast, specially when it's supported by favorable conditions. There are several different types of treatment, which are mentioned further. Let's learn more about them ...
Powdery mildew is actually a fungal disease. Its appearance is like sprinkled, light-colored powder. It can attack several different plants, thus affecting a lot of gardens all around the world. When a plant is first attacked, small, light-colored white spots will appear on its leaves.
If the problem aggravates, the spots start growing further. In a few days, the leaves start appearing dusted with powder. You will see tiny spores crammed into one small location, which become airborne with time, and spread to the neighboring plants. Treating powdery mildew on plants is very important, as the attacked plants can die from this fungal disease.

Home Remedies and Other Treatment

There is a common misconception, that a lot of water is needed for the disease to grow. It needs a warm temperature and shade to grow. The first step for treating powdery mildew is to do away with debris in the garden.
They may be the breeding ground of this fungus. For example, if there are leaves lying around in the garden, then you will want to get rid of them, as this fungus is known to grow on dead leaves as well.
If the infection has spread a lot on a particular plant, then you may want to get rid of the affected plant. In this way, you may lose a particular plant, but this will ensure that the other plants are not affected with the fungus.
You can also use organic sprays on the affected leaves. When you start noticing traces of powdery mildew on the leaves, clean them with sprays immediately. However, organic sprays will work on only smaller areas. If a large area has been affected, you will have to use a fungicide.
Baking soda is also said to help. Make a solution and spray it on the affected plants. The exact proportion would be two teaspoons of baking soda, one quart water, and a few drops of liquid soap. If a vegetable plant is affected, then the taste of the vegetable may undergo some change, though not always.
As per new research, milk can be used to remove mildew from wood. Mix milk and water in a 1:9 ratio and spray it on the plants. It will help in boosting the plant's immune system and also control the mildew. Natural salts, amino acids in milk are responsible for getting rid of mildew from plants.
Thyme tea can also be used as an organic fungicide spray for the plants. Spray all parts of the plant with this tea; it will help in curbing the infection.
For mildew removal from wood, you can use sulfur. If you want an organic substitute for sulfur, then you can make use of garlic cloves; garlic is rich in sulfur. Crush a few cloves of garlic and make a spray by mixing it with water. Spray the mixture on the plants. It is best to use it every 7 days.
Avoid the use of a nitrogen fertilizer; it is responsible for the growth of succulent tissues. These tissues are vulnerable to the fungi attack. At the same time, it is important to note, that the best mold and mildew remover is the sun. It is best to grow the plants out in the sun than in shade.
Start with this treatment as soon as you see small signs of this infection. If proper care is not taken at the earliest, it can cause destruction of the entire garden.