Andre CampbellIt may start as a few grayish-white powdery spots or patches on your plant’s leaves. Left unchecked, powdery mildew spores can spread to other plants [1].
As it spreads, the infection will weaken the plant. The leaves may also curl up, twist, or dry out.
This white powdery fungus can affect fruit trees, vegetable crops, and ornamental plants.
How to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew Naturally
Below are home remedies and natural solutions that you can try in your garden.
1. Vinegar
Organic gardeners often use a vinegar-water mixture as an antifungal treatment for plants.
Vinegar’s acetic acid makes it effective at controlling powdery mildew. However, the solution must be mild to prevent plant burn.
Apple cider vinegar is the preferred choice. To use it for powdery mildew, mix three tablespoons of vinegar with a gallon of water.
Always test the spray on a small area of the plant first. Some plants may be sensitive to vinegar sprays.
Use it to spray the plants every three days.
2. Neem Oil
Gardeners have used neem oil for generations as a natural pesticide and fungicide. Therefore, you can use it to make a homemade fungicide for powdery mildew.
To use neem oil against powdery mildew, combine 1 to 2 tablespoons of neem oil with 1 teaspoon of liquid soap and 1 gallon of water. Next, add the mixture to a spray container and spray both the tops and undersides of the leaves.
Alternatively, you can purchase a ready-to-use neem oil concentrate. To avoid leaf burn, use the solution early in the morning or late in the evening.
3. Baking Soda
You can also make a DIY powdery mildew spray using baking soda. Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap, and 1 gallon of water.
Shake well and spray the plant’s leaves. Use this solution as a preventive measure.
If the plant is already infected, remove the infected leaves and spray the rest of the plant. Reapply after a shower of rain.
4. Improve Air Circulation
To reduce the spread of the disease, give your plants more room to breathe.
Pruning and thinning plants can help prevent overcrowding. This method also improves air circulation.
5. Avoid Overhead Watering
Overhead watering can create humidity around plants. This humidity may encourage the growth of powdery mildew.
Poor airflow and humid conditions can encourage powdery mildew growth [2].
6. Potassium Bicarbonate
Potassium bicarbonate is one of the most effective organic remedies for powdery mildew. It works by disrupting fungal spores and creating conditions that make it hard for mildew to survive.
To use it, mix 1 tablespoon of potassium bicarbonate with 1 gallon of water. Add 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap to help the spray stick to the leaves.
Spray both the tops and undersides of the leaves thoroughly. Reapply every 7 to 14 days or after heavy rain.
Always test the spray on a small section of the plant first to check for sensitivity. Avoid spraying during the hottest part of the day to reduce the risk of leaf burn.
7. Cueva
Cueva is a liquid copper fungicide. Copper fungicides help prevent fungal spores from developing and spreading.
This product helps control powdery mildew, bacterial cankers, anthracnose, brown rot, and more. Moreover, it is OMRI-listed for safe use on organic crops.
8. Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide
This product is another copper-based powdery mildew fungicide. It is also effective in treating plant rust and downy mildew.
Moreover, the product is safe to use in your organic garden. This ready-to-use spray can be used on ornamental, vegetable, and fruit crops.
9. Banish
Banish is a popular, powerful, all-natural, organic fungicide.
The product stops mildew by disrupting spore germination and mycelial growth. This process damages the fungal cells.
However, always follow the label instructions carefully when using this product.
10. Milk
Milk spray is a preventive measure for controlling powdery mildew on specific plants.
To get rid of powdery mildew with milk, make a solution using 40% milk and 60% water. Skim milk is often preferred.
Remove all affected leaves before applying the spray.
Afterward, use it as a foliar spray for your plants. Repeat after 10 to 14 days and after a heavy rain shower.
Some studies and gardeners suggest that milk sprays may help protect plants like pumpkins, cucumbers, grapes, and apples. They also report good results with other crops.
11. Garlic
Garlic is another popular natural remedy for powdery mildew. It is rich in sulfur, making it an effective treatment.
Just blend 2 bulbs of garlic with 2 cups of water. Next, strain the mixture and add one teaspoon of liquid soap.
Afterward, dilute a quarter cup of the garlic mixture in a gallon of water. Finally, use it as a foliar spray, but test the spray on a few leaves first before treating the entire plant.
A much easier option is to purchase a product containing garlic that helps fight fungal diseases in plants.
12. Compost Tea
Some gardeners have gotten results using compost tea for powdery mildew, so it is worth trying.
To make compost tea for your plants, add a shovelful of finished compost to a 5-gallon bucket of water.
Leave it to steep for a week, then use the solution to water the plants. However, dilute it with water (1:1) before using it.
This home remedy may help support plant health and disease resistance.
13. Pruning
Cutting back parts of a plant to let in more air can also help control mildew.
Therefore, prune small trees and shrubs. Remove dead or unwanted plant parts to improve air circulation.
Also, remove diseased plant parts. Doing so will help maintain disease-free plants.
14. MilStop SP Foliar Fungicide
MilStop is a popular fungicide used to control powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. This potassium bicarbonate-based fungicide kills mildew spores on contact.
It provides an organic solution that is both curative and preventive.
Preventing Powdery Mildew:
- Space plants properly
- Water early in the day
- Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer.
- Remove infected plant debris.
- Grow resistant plant varieties when possible.
Takeaway
Sometimes, powdery mildew shows up in even the best-kept gardens. Fortunately, plenty of home remedies and natural solutions exist to stop or prevent the problem.
Sasha Campbell
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