I'm having a terrible time with mildew. Lost all 3 spring crops to it. These were planted sept. 1 and are doing pretty good but the mildew started a few weeks ago. I've sprayed twice with organicide and it's not spreading much but it's not going away either. I got some liquid copper but it doesn't say how long to wait before you eat the squash. Anybody have any other "secret formulas"?
Powdery mildew on squash
organocide is for insects - not going to help with mold/fungus.
I've heard that spraying a mixture of buttermilk/water will help. also - do not water from up top - water from below. when leaves stay wet, it opens up mildew and blight.
Be very careful using copper or suflur on squash after using an oil spray (organicide is sesame oil); it can kill your plants, or stunt them permanently. Organicide is listed as a fungicide, but I've never had much luck using it except for spider mite control.
Milk spray works more as a preventative and must be started early on.
Best solution for PM is to buy resistant plants. Several companies sell cucumbers, squash, melons and other vegetables that are PM resistant. It will be noted in the catalog or on the seed packet if they are resistant.
Neem is a good organic fungicide and does work for PM. I have used it on squash with no ill effects.
Thank you both. I tried the milk solution and it doesn't seem to be spreading. It might even be a little better.Gave them a little fertilizer in hopes the plants will outgrow the mildew. I'm gonna spray again tomorrow.
i didn't know neem was fungicide - thought it was for stuff like spider mites. Just got some the other day.
do i use it as foliar spray, or pour some in watering can and water entire area?
To use it as a fungicide, it is sprayed on.
I mix it in a watering can and pour around my tomatoes to help with nematodes.
Neem is an excellent fungicide and is the only product I know of that will stop powdery mildew on tall garden phlox and remove some of the powdery mess from the leaves. If you use warm water, you get better mixing. Don't spray during the heat of the day, do it early in the morning or late in the evening (it is also toxic to bees when wet so try to avoid spraying when bees are active if the plant has blossoms).
flsusie - even before I opened your thread, I thought back to the days when I tried growing squash/melons/cucumbers in South Florida. I was never successful because of Powdery Mildew. That was back in the 1970's. Hopefully, you will be able to find some resistant varieties.
actually, there may be an issue with all the dirt I purchased from a local nursery, as I have a myriad of stuff going on (black spidery spots on basil, and the basil looking kind of bleached out (spaces between the veins yellowing), mold on my swiss chard, etc). Can I use neem to water the dirt (will it work as fungicide there?), or should I use the copper mix?
Powdery mildew is airborne isn't it? Do a test spray on a few leaves to be sure the neem isn't phytotoxic (causes leaf damage) if you decide to use neem. Copper is safe to use on swiss chard, I don't remember using it on basil.
Your basil could have sunburn/windburn, or could have been damaged by cold (basil is not happy below about 50 degrees, especially if the wind is blowing). My basil that isn't covered under hoops looks ratty now because we just had a cold front come thru. Before the cold front the basil was beautiful.
thanks for all the info. just when I thought I was getting it under control the worms snuck in. I pulled them yesterday and will plant root crops this week.
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well, we hit 83-85 degrees yesterday, so don't think it's the temperature, but could be the wind. I'll have to find something to cover them at night. I planted the basil where I did because the 'friends and foes' graph table that someone posted here on DG read that basil, oregano, and parsley are all great companion plants for tomatoes (which are now starting to take off - awesome! I mean, I haven't had anything eating my tomatoes (yet), so perhaps it's true, eh? Just wish my basil didn't look like crap.
oh, and the greek oregano that is next to my basil is starting to have it's leaves turn brown/black. I'll post pics tomorrow - I'm heading to Orlando for the day.