Powdery mildew is a powdery-looking fungus that is sprinkled on plants, often in a round shape. Powdery mildew appears mostly on leaves, but can also attack stems, flowers and fruit. Infected leaves may break, tear, turn yellowish, or dry out. To get rid of powdery mildew, you will need a fungicide spray. Fortunately, organic fungicidal sprays are easy to make at home. Also take other precautions to prevent powdery mildew from appearing.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing Your Homemade Fungicide Spray
Step 1. Try a mixture of baking soda, vegetable oil, and dish soap diluted in water
Baking soda is a classic organic fungicide. To be effective on plants, this solution requires oil and detergent to adhere to the leaves. Mix 1 tbsp. (14 g) baking soda, 1 tbsp. (15 mL) vegetable oil, and 1 tsp. (5 mL) dish soap into 4 L of water.
- Stir all the ingredients to mix well, then pour the solution into a clean, empty spray bottle.
- You can also use an oil-based soap like Murphy's oil soap, instead of using the oil and soap ingredients separately. Just use 2 tbsp. (30 mL) oil soap with 4 tbsp. (60 g) of baking soda into into 4L of water.
- You can replace baking soda with potassium bicarbonate. Potassium bicarbonate is less harsh, but still as effective as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) on plants.
Step 2. Make a solution of vinegar and water
Mix 2 – 3 tbsp. (30 – 45 mL) white vinegar or apple cider vinegar in 4 L of water. Pour the solution into a clean, empty spray bottle.
Do not use a larger amount of vinegar than requested as higher concentrations of vinegar can burn the plant. Test this solution on a small section of the plant first before spraying all infected leaves
Step 3. Try a neem oil solution
Neem is a plant whose oil is known to have insecticidal and fungicidal agents. Mix 1 tbsp. (5 mL) neem oil with 0.5 tbsp. (2.5 ml) dish soap and 950 mL water. Pour the solution into a clean, empty spray bottle.
Neem oil can be found in health food stores, some hardware stores, and on the internet
Step 4. Try a milk and water solution
Milk is also found to have antifungal agents and has been shown to be successful in eradicating powdery mildew. Mix 350 mL of milk with 830 mL of water, then pour the solution into a clean, empty spray bottle.
You can use skim milk or whole milk for this solution because it is the protein (not the fat) that has the fungicidal agent
Step 5. Make a solution of garlic and water
Place 2 peeled garlic bulbs in a blender and add 950 mL of water. Turn on the blender on high for 5-10 minutes. Strain the garlic paste using cheesecloth and dilute it for each use adding 1 part solution to 9 parts water in a spray bottle.
If not used up, just store the undiluted garlic paste in a container, label it, and put it in the fridge for next use
Part 2 of 3: Using the Solution Correctly
Step 1. Test each solution on a single leaf before spraying the entire plant
Usually fungicide sprays can burn and damage the leaves. Test each type of solution on a small part of the plant, such as 1 leaf, before spraying the entire plant. Spray the leaves with enough solution until the liquid drips off, then let the leaves dry.
If the leaves start to turn yellow or brown, it means the solution is too harsh for the plant. Try different solutions or try different leaves until you find one that works
Step 2. Alternate the type of repellent solution so that powdery mildew doesn't build up resistance to the same element
Powdery mildew can be a difficult fungus to eradicate and adapt and build resistance to the elements that attack it. If you find several types of solutions that work against them, vary the types of solutions used so that powdery mildew doesn't build up resistance to any of them.
For example, use a baking soda solution for 1 week and a milk or vinegar solution the following week
Step 3. Spray the infected plant parts in the morning, no more than once a week
When you start a series of powdery mildew removals, spray the infected area in the morning so the sun can dry the solution on the leaves. Usually, you can see the progress after 1 spray.
Wait at least a week before the next spray and apply a follow-up only if you don't see much change in the leaves after the first spray
Step 4. Wipe the leaves with a clean cloth to help remove some of the powdery mildew
Before spraying infected leaves, wipe the leaves with a clean, dry cloth to remove some of the powdery mildew first. This wiping will reduce the amount of powdery mildew that will fall to the ground with the solution.
Alternatively, rub each other's infected leaves to remove some of the powdery mildew
Step 5. Let the dripping solution fall from the leaves
Whenever you use a homemade solution, spray each infected leaf generously until the solution drips off the leaves. Don't wipe the solution off the leaves, just let the liquid drip off and dry on its own.
Step 6. Use chemical fungicides with care
Chemical fungicides are effective, but they can create other problems for garden habitats. The chemicals in fungicides can harm both organisms in the soil, as well as bees and other pollinating insects that are needed for a healthy and fertile garden habitat. Chemicals can also affect how safe the sprayed plant is to eat. So, follow the instructions on the package carefully if you are using chemical fungicides for edible plants.
Since organic fungicides can be easily made at home, try them before you use chemicals
Part 3 of 3: Controlling and Preventing Powdery mildew
Step 1. Prune off infected leaves located on the underside of the plant to reduce the spread of powdery mildew
If you find powdery mildew early on, prevent it from spreading by removing infected leaves using cutting shears or regular shears. Do not use the leaves as compost, as powdery mildew can spread through the compost and infect other plants again.
Throw infected leaves in the trash to prevent powdery mildew from spreading
Step 2. Provide good air circulation for plants
Powdery mildew thrives in damp conditions. Plant the plant in a bed that is spacious and exposed to light breezes. If possible, blow a fan on the plant if the day is very hot and humid.
Move the potted plant to an open area outside in the dry season if the plant has powdery mildew indoors. Fresh air will help reduce recurring yeast infections
Step 3. Leave the plant exposed to sufficient sunlight
A place that is too shaded will prevent the leaves from drying properly after it rains or after watering. Exposure to sufficient amounts of sunlight will also make plants grow stronger and less susceptible to infection. Plant each type of plant according to the amount of sun exposure it needs.
If you live in an area that often rains or is cloudy, choose plants that thrive in these conditions for your garden
Step 4. Remove overcrowded plants
Because it requires good air circulation, plants that are too crowded are very susceptible to powdery mildew. Prune branches and secondary shoots of other plants that block sunlight into the garden, and remove weak or wilted plants and foliage every two weeks.
If healthy plants appear to be competing for nutrients, move them to larger pots or beds to give them the air and sunlight they need
Step 5. Do not water from above the plant
Allowing the liquid to stick to the leaves will trigger powdery mildew. Water the plant near the base so that the water quickly soaks into the soil before you add more water. Do not water outdoor plants on rainy days to prevent them from overwatering.
