Do the stems and leaves of your plants have white spots on them? This is a relatively common disease that is brought on by different fungi. Powdery mildew is also called white powder or powdery mildew because of its appearance, as it has white, dusty spots.
This disease gradually weakens the plant and can even kill it, since if we let the problem go and it progresses, it eventually feeds on the entire plant and spreads to others. There are products on the market that can help you treat this issue, but some of them may be toxic to humans and pets and may end up harming the plant by contaminating the environment in addition to making it sick. Luckily, there are also natural and organic remedies.
What is powdery mildew in plants and its causes
As we have pointed out before, powdery mildew in plants is a disease caused by fungi that leaves the leaves with the appearance that is, with a white powder, which is fungi, and that weakens the plant.
The main causes of powdery mildew in plants are due to a combination of factors that promote the appearance of fungi. Specifically, powdery mildew appears in gardens and orchards where there is excessive humidity, little ventilation, and little natural light; in addition, the genetics of the plant can also influence, as we will see later, its state of health prior to infection with these fungi, that is, if it was already weak; and fertilizers with too much nitrogen, which is good for the soil and plants but not in excess.
You must be able to recognize, treat, and prevent this issue because, if left unchecked, it could lead to the devastation of an entire orchard or garden. Pay attention to the following tips for its prevention and fungicidal remedies for powdery mildew:
Home remedies for powdery mildew in plants
In this section, we will tell you how to eliminate powdery mildew from plants naturally with the best natural home remedies for natural fungicide. Learn which are the most appropriate, how to prepare them, and how to apply them.
Sulfur and copper for powdery mildew
Both sulfur and copper sulfate are very effective fungicides, but care must be taken in their handling and not to exceed the dose, as in this case they can be harmful to the plants and the soil. Purchase copper sulfate or sulfur, but do not use them simultaneously. Add the powder to the leaves and soil in the amounts recommended on the packaging or by the garden center expert. If you use the liquid, you can use a sprayer to apply it. If you are going to use a lot because you need to treat a full garden or orchard, try to wear gloves, glasses, and a mask.
Purin or decoction of horsetail
Another option that we recommend if you were wondering how to combat powdery mildew with home remedies is horsetail. It is a plant that is used for many remedies, and one of its properties is antifungal, or using trichoderma harzianum, so it is useful for eliminating this fungal problem in plants. You can buy the concentrated extract of this plant and dilute it in water to spray it on the plants to be treated, but you can also prepare an infusion, decoction, or slurry from it to spray it as well.
The infusion or decoction is less charged and is used at the time of making it; on the other hand, the slurry takes days to prepare but is more concentrated and powerful than the infusion. It may be more convenient to begin treatment with a decoction or infusion, but it is recommended to prepare slurry with a maceration process to treat severe cases of this infestation or to use later as a method of pest and disease prevention. You can start by making a liter of infusion, letting the horsetail boil for 10 minutes and rest for another 10, and spraying it on the affected leaves.
Tips to prevent powdery mildew in plants
Finally, we want to give you some tips to avoid powdery mildew in plants, thinking about the factors that promote it:
- Make sure you use a good soil for growing vegetables in the garden and a good soil for potted or garden plants. A consultant in the gardening and agricultural store can help you choose the ideal soil for your needs based on the sort of plants you plan to grow.
- Remember that the earth must have good drainage to prevent water from puddling and excess moisture. This is especially important in pots because it is easier for waterlogging to occur.
- Locate the plants in a ventilated area with sun and shade . The plants should get full sun but not all the strong hours, because they can burn, and they should have shade to regulate the temperature, but it cannot be a dark area. In addition, it is vital that there is good air circulation because this makes it more difficult for moisture and fungus to accumulate.
- Pay attention to the appearance and health of your plants and crops, in case you suspect that they are not well, consult a specialist in the store to tell you what they have and what is the best treatment. They may lack minerals, water, sun, vitamins, etc. If they are generally healthy, it will be more difficult for them to be affected by parasites and pests.