Beware of Powdery Mildew! How to Recognize It and Respond Quickly
In summer, when days are warm and nights are humid, it develops rapidly, capable of destroying a crop in just a few days. How to recognize the enemy? Powdery mildew appears as a white, floury coating on the upper surface of leaves. Over time, the tissue beneath turns yellow and dries. It attacks cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, grapevines, roses, and dahlias, among others. Downy mildew causes spots on the upper surface of leaves, with a gray, fluffy coating visible underneath. It most commonly appears on cucumbers, lettuce, and spinach.
Actions after detectionOnce you notice the first symptoms, remove infected shoots and discard them outside the compost pile. It's a good idea to thin the plants to improve airflow between the leaves. Natural sprays are helpful, such as a baking soda solution (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water with a few drops of dish soap) or garlic or horsetail extract. Repeat treatments every few days.
How to prevent?It's best to avoid spraying leaves when watering, maintain adequate spacing between plants, and regularly remove weeds and harvest debris. Crop rotation is also recommended, as the pathogen often overwinters in the soil.
In the case of powdery mildew, reaction time is crucial – acting quickly increases the chance of keeping plants in good condition until the end of the season.
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