Powdery mildew - signs, prevention, treatment

Disease of many garden crops. Called fungus. It appears as a powdery, white coating. The leaves affected by this fungus fold and fall. The plant withers and soon dies altogether. Mildew appears throughout the garden season, "flourishing" within a month after emergence. The causes of the appearance of the fungus on the leaves are: too thickened planting, poor soil, lean irrigation, a sharp change in the temperature of the day in relation to the night (hot-cold).

Powdery mildew is real. The main symptom is the appearance of the above-described plaque not only on leaves, but also on stems and even flowers. The disease quickly weakens the plant. Leaves curdle, but do not fall off for a long time. The reason is in thickened plantings and meager watering. An example is powdery mildew on gooseberries: twisted leaves stop growing, dry, break; Berries, not having grown, are showered. As a result - the absence of harvest and death of the plant in a year or two.

Powdery mildew is false. The main symptom - the emergence of "faded" or yellow-brown spots on top of the sheet, below shows a grayish mold. The plant is weakening, becoming ugly. The appearance of fruits is possible, but their quality is low, with different deformations. An example is powdery mildew on cucumbers. The main reason for the appearance of such a fungus on the plant lies in low night and high daytime temperatures.

Treatment of affected plants is possible, but it is better to focus on prevention. Eliminate the thickening of the planting, choose the places blown by the wind, provide regular watering, acquire varieties of plants resistant to the fungus. Removed infected shoots and leaves are burned. The soil in the aisles and around the bushes is digested, after which a moderate fertilizing with fertilizers (potassium and phosphorus-nitrogen) is carried out.

A good result is the spraying of plants with a weak solution of soda ash (0.5%) with the addition of ordinary laundry soap. Sprinkle several times: before flowering, immediately after it, before harvesting (ten days) and again in two weeks.

If powdery mildew has already manifested itself, treat affected plants (removing previously infected areas (leaves and even branches), fungicide.) Chemical means, therefore compliance with proportions and the use of protective equipment (gloves, mask) are mandatory.

Positively affects the use of the drug "Topaz". It requires a double treatment, although only one (after flowering)

Another drug that claims to replace the Bordeaux mixture is "HOM". The bushes are sprayed before flowering, according to the instructions.

In the people, "home treatment" is widespread: a bar of softened soap and 20 g of vitriol are dissolved in a bucket of water (10 liters). A strained matte-blue solution is treated with plants immediately after flowering.

Can be treated with a solution of household soap (50 g) and soda (50 g), dissolved in a bucket of water. Bushes are poured from a watering can with a fine strainer before the leaves dissolve (on the bush - three liters of solution) and after flowering.

Another, not too laborious method, will require 3 kg of ash and a bucket of boiling water (the ash is poured with boiling water). Infusion from the ashes are sprayed on the plants before flowering, and then after it (an interval of about ten days).

Of course, all the recipes should not be used at once, it will be an obvious search, which can only exacerbate the situation. It is better to choose one, more suitable method. Usually, two treatments a year are enough. Especially if for planting (or sowing) you choose varieties that are resistant to powdery mildew.

And one more important point: new, newly acquired seedlings, must necessarily be disinfected. An ideal means for this purpose will be 1% copper sulfate. The seedlings are kept in this solution for 5 minutes, washed with water and then planted.