I noticed some of my two standard violets have powdery mildew. I guess that is it. It is white, powdery, only on blooms. I have read air circulation needs to be improved. That is odd, I think it should be good air flow. Standards on on the bottom row, not crowded, ac in the house. The only "new" thing is that I have the large shelves now. More light.
Any help would be appreciated. Will this spred? I took off bad flowers. What else should I do?
Powdery mildew, need help
Can I just watch the plants, before using sprays etc? Also, does Safer make something good? I am sensitive and I have a bird. Birds are super sensitive to anything in the air.
Shall I use the ceiling fan? All day, not at night?
Oh, when you all buy new plants, do you quarantine them? Thanks. Sally
I can tell you that it will spread! I've had it come up on AVs at work. I spray a RTU Copper Fung.spray. But I'm sure that there are others that might be better, me not being the expert here!LOL
I've read that you can use Neem Oil and/or Lysol spray. Both of these work. Use the Neem Oil as directed. Spray the Lysol above the plants and let it settle down on to them. Worth a try.
Laura
Shall I see if there is any more first? I see none, now that the flowers are gone from them.
The lysol will not put spots on the flowers?
Not like the Neem Oil would. I've just sprayed lightly over them to see what would happen and they turned out OK. The powdery mildew will kill the plant and spread if not caught in time, so I would go ahead and spray and save the plant so that you can have more blooms later. :)
Laura
Sally, I think everyone does things differently. I have a product called Fungicide 3-in-1 that i bought at Ken's in Boerne just for powdery mildew. I bought one bottle of concentrated and then one bottle ready mixed......so I could add and make more. It won't hurt the blooms or anything.
But, since you are sensitive and have a bird, I would take them outside in the shade and spray them. Leave the lights off until the leaves are dry. It works real well.
I got carried away with super thrive and am going to spend tomorrow changing out the water in the reservoirs and having to run clear water through all my plants. It may take two days of work. I can't believe i did something this stupid. I misread the label!!!!
Gail,
Thanks for the info on the Fungicide. Will keep it in mind.
Laura
Thanks Gail. Fred JUST got home and bought three large/standard Variegated plants. He got a HUGE HUGE HUGE orchid with many branches off of the main branch for himself. Next time I will get the fungicide from Ken. We will hopefully go back in April.
I see no more mildew so I will keep an eye out. Then spray if needed. The leaves all look fine on all of my plants.
Sorry you fed too much Super Thrive. I bought it at Gill's. I am using it on two plants so far. I was afraid to do something new before going slow.
I have heard there is a fungicide call Seranade also. For organic gardening. Might be a bit safe too. Thanks.
Sally, I think I can just flush my plants out and I am still going to use Super Thrive for lots of things...........soaking 3 drops to a gallon of water for strep leaves before I plant them with rooting hormone. I was just using 5 drops to a gallon along with fertilizer..........how dumb of me...............i didn't even read the instructions.......now I am just going to add one or two drops to a gallon for watering avs, etc...............
Where did Fred find the new orchids? I am dying to know....................don't tell me Lowe's...........I am jealous!
I've used the 3 in 1 product here at home, but I was taking care of bugs. The Garden Safe products are usually very good.
As for the Neem oil,I may be wrong but I thought it was a no-no to use any oil-based stuff on hairy-leaved plants. Does the Neem work differently?
KENS! He went to Ken's today on the way home. He had been at Tapatio Springs for a golf tournament. He saw lots he wanted! Not sure where they would live though, ha. We have so many in that sunroom. Ken has great plants.
I can't believe how many BUDS! TINY ONES. I will get a pic soon. I have to have someone stand with it to show the size.
I bought the Neem oil for my avs but it is still sitting in the kitchen. I haven't opened but I know it is for avs. Let me go get it.......I can't read that other post before I post as I can't multi task. (LOL)
It says it is a natural leaf shine. It also says to use 11/2 tsp per quart of water (1 oz./gal) plus 11/2 tsp of liquid dish soap per quart of water (1 oz./gal) as an emulsifier.
Ken has great plants but they are really pricey compared to the nursery in Seguin but they don't really grow the same plants. Ken does have some wonderful plants . I can't argue with you.........good choices, too.
Yes, pricey, but the plants are nice, orchids are wonderful! I don't know of the Seguin place. Tell me more!
Green Gate Nursery on the 123 Loop off of 1 10 going towards Stockdale. It is in the city limits but just located on the edge of the loop towards Stockdale. Oh my gosh, do they have plants. If you really want to look , go to my homepage and see where I started threads on Green Gate Nursery. (it was back in October or Novemember)
I took your tour! Nice plants. We will have to have a look!