Post by DirtDiva Admin on Aug 14, 2021 11:54:47 GMT -6
dengarden.com/gardening/Organic-Methods-of-Exterminating-Powdery-Mildew
Organic Ways to Kill and Prevent White Powdery Mildew
8 Organic Treatments to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew
Potassium bicarbonate
Milk
Neem oil
Vinegar
Baking soda
Garlic
Sulfur
Copper fungicides
1. Potassium Bicarbonate
Potassium bicarbonate is a safe, effective fungicide that kills spores on contact. Like baking soda, it is also a great preventative treatment because it raises the pH level above 8.3โan alkaline environment that is not ideal for fungal growth.
How to Use:
Mix 3 tbsp. of potassium bicarbonate, 3 tbsp. vegetable oil, and 1/2 tsp. soap into a gallon of water. Spray onto affected plants.
2. Milk
Numerous studies have shown milk and/or whey to be even more effective at killing powdery mildew than chemical fungicides. In a 2009 study by the University of Connecticut, which tested a milk treatment of 40% milk and 60% water on plants infected with powdery mildew, "the milk treatment provided significantly less disease than the untreated control, and the chemical treatment had equal or significantly less disease than the milk." Scientists are not sure why milk is so effective, but they believe that when milk interacts with the sun, it produces free radicals that are toxic to the fungus.
2 Ways to Use:
Mix 60 parts water with 40 parts milk or whey, and spray onto the affected plants bi-weekly. You can even use whole milk without dilution for a strong effect.
Mix 1 oz. powdered milk to 2 liters of water, and spray onto affected plants bi-weekly.
Milk may be more effective at killing powdery mildew than even chemical products.
Milk may be more effective at killing powdery mildew than even chemical products.
3. Neem Oil
Neem oil is made from the seeds and fruit of the evergreen neem tree, and it is powerful enough to kill powdery mildew in less than 24 hours. The oil works by disrupting the plant's metabolism and stopping spore production. Neem oil is also a great insecticide and since spores can be carried by bugs, this oil is a great preventative treatment as well.
How to Use:
Mix 3 tbsp. of neem oil to one gallon of water, and spray onto affected plants every 7-14 days. Take precautions to avoid sunburning the leaves, and avoid spraying the plant's buds and flowers.
4. Vinegar
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is very effective in killing powdery mildew. Take care to not make the mixture too strong as the acidity of the vinegar can burn plant leaves.
Mix 4 tbsp. of vinegar (5% solution) with 1 gallon of water. Reapply every three days.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda has a pH of 9, which is very high! Treating with baking soda raises the pH level on the plants and creates a very alkaline environment that kills fungus. There have been mixed reports of success when using baking soda to treat severe cases, so it may be better as a preventative treatment than a fungicide.
How to Use:
Mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 1/2 tsp. liquid hand soap with one gallon of water.
Spray solution on affected leaves, and dispose of any remaining solution.
Do not apply during daylight hours. It may be best to test one or two leaves to see if the solution will cause the plant to suffer sunburn.
Baking soda's high pH creates a high alkaline environment that is unsuitable for fungi.
Baking soda's high pH creates a high alkaline environment that is unsuitable for fungi.
6. Garlic
Garlic has a high sulfur content and is an effective anti-fungicide. Garlic oil can be bought commercially if you do not wish to make the solution at home. It works best when added to organic oil mixtures.
How to Use:
Crush six cloves of garlic and add to one ounce of an organic oil such as neem oil and one ounce of rubbing alcohol. Let set for two days
Strain and retain the liquid and crushed garlic.
Soak the garlic again (this time in one cup of water for a day). Strain out and dispose of the crushed garlic.
Add the oil and alcohol mixture and garlic water to one gallon of water.
Spray your plants, coating only the leaves.
7. Sulfur
Sulfur is a natural product that is very effective at preventing and controlling powdery mildew. Sulfur can be bought as a dust or as a liquid and can be added to sulfur vaporizers.
How to Use:
Follow the dosing instructions closely and wear gloves, eye protection, and a face mask. Avoid inhaling or coming into contact with the sulfur.
8. Copper Fungicides
Copper is a very effective fungicide, but it is very important to follow label directions closely. Too much copper will be detrimental to the plant and the soil.
Warning
Some ingredients, such as vinegar and baking soda, can cause sunburn to your plants. Ensure that plants are well-watered before applying and don't apply during daylight hours.
Organic Ways to Kill and Prevent White Powdery Mildew
8 Organic Treatments to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew
Potassium bicarbonate
Milk
Neem oil
Vinegar
Baking soda
Garlic
Sulfur
Copper fungicides
1. Potassium Bicarbonate
Potassium bicarbonate is a safe, effective fungicide that kills spores on contact. Like baking soda, it is also a great preventative treatment because it raises the pH level above 8.3โan alkaline environment that is not ideal for fungal growth.
How to Use:
Mix 3 tbsp. of potassium bicarbonate, 3 tbsp. vegetable oil, and 1/2 tsp. soap into a gallon of water. Spray onto affected plants.
2. Milk
Numerous studies have shown milk and/or whey to be even more effective at killing powdery mildew than chemical fungicides. In a 2009 study by the University of Connecticut, which tested a milk treatment of 40% milk and 60% water on plants infected with powdery mildew, "the milk treatment provided significantly less disease than the untreated control, and the chemical treatment had equal or significantly less disease than the milk." Scientists are not sure why milk is so effective, but they believe that when milk interacts with the sun, it produces free radicals that are toxic to the fungus.
2 Ways to Use:
Mix 60 parts water with 40 parts milk or whey, and spray onto the affected plants bi-weekly. You can even use whole milk without dilution for a strong effect.
Mix 1 oz. powdered milk to 2 liters of water, and spray onto affected plants bi-weekly.
Milk may be more effective at killing powdery mildew than even chemical products.
Milk may be more effective at killing powdery mildew than even chemical products.
3. Neem Oil
Neem oil is made from the seeds and fruit of the evergreen neem tree, and it is powerful enough to kill powdery mildew in less than 24 hours. The oil works by disrupting the plant's metabolism and stopping spore production. Neem oil is also a great insecticide and since spores can be carried by bugs, this oil is a great preventative treatment as well.
How to Use:
Mix 3 tbsp. of neem oil to one gallon of water, and spray onto affected plants every 7-14 days. Take precautions to avoid sunburning the leaves, and avoid spraying the plant's buds and flowers.
4. Vinegar
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is very effective in killing powdery mildew. Take care to not make the mixture too strong as the acidity of the vinegar can burn plant leaves.
Mix 4 tbsp. of vinegar (5% solution) with 1 gallon of water. Reapply every three days.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda has a pH of 9, which is very high! Treating with baking soda raises the pH level on the plants and creates a very alkaline environment that kills fungus. There have been mixed reports of success when using baking soda to treat severe cases, so it may be better as a preventative treatment than a fungicide.
How to Use:
Mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 1/2 tsp. liquid hand soap with one gallon of water.
Spray solution on affected leaves, and dispose of any remaining solution.
Do not apply during daylight hours. It may be best to test one or two leaves to see if the solution will cause the plant to suffer sunburn.
Baking soda's high pH creates a high alkaline environment that is unsuitable for fungi.
Baking soda's high pH creates a high alkaline environment that is unsuitable for fungi.
6. Garlic
Garlic has a high sulfur content and is an effective anti-fungicide. Garlic oil can be bought commercially if you do not wish to make the solution at home. It works best when added to organic oil mixtures.
How to Use:
Crush six cloves of garlic and add to one ounce of an organic oil such as neem oil and one ounce of rubbing alcohol. Let set for two days
Strain and retain the liquid and crushed garlic.
Soak the garlic again (this time in one cup of water for a day). Strain out and dispose of the crushed garlic.
Add the oil and alcohol mixture and garlic water to one gallon of water.
Spray your plants, coating only the leaves.
7. Sulfur
Sulfur is a natural product that is very effective at preventing and controlling powdery mildew. Sulfur can be bought as a dust or as a liquid and can be added to sulfur vaporizers.
How to Use:
Follow the dosing instructions closely and wear gloves, eye protection, and a face mask. Avoid inhaling or coming into contact with the sulfur.
8. Copper Fungicides
Copper is a very effective fungicide, but it is very important to follow label directions closely. Too much copper will be detrimental to the plant and the soil.
Warning
Some ingredients, such as vinegar and baking soda, can cause sunburn to your plants. Ensure that plants are well-watered before applying and don't apply during daylight hours.