Organic Ways of Preventing Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew symptoms include powdery white spots on leaves and stems of your plants. Left untreated, powdery mildew can kill whole plants or sections of your garden. Powdery mildew is a fungal infection that thrives on water. By maintaining your garden in a location that discourages water retention on the plants, you can minimize problems with powdery mildew. Does this Spark an idea?
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Starting Plants
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One of the best ways to avoid powdery mildew is to start with very healthy seedlings. Healthy plants are better able to resist fungal infections like powdery mildew. If you start to see powdery mildew, remove the affected areas very early to prevent spread. By starting with healthy plants and being vigilant in removing any leaves that exhibit symptoms, you are well on your way to controlling powdery mildew in your gardens.
Light and Air Circulation
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Good light and air circulation in your gardening beds can help keep your plants dry. Because fungal problems, especially powdery mildew, thrive on excess moisture, choosing the right location for your garden is critical in the organic prevention of powdery mildew. Ensuring adequate sun, especially in the morning when it can dry dew and other naturally occurring moisture, can help prevent mildew. Plant your garden in a place that gets good circulation. Breezes can help keep your plants dry and mildew-free.
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Watering Time & Method
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Choosing the correct watering time and method is an important way of organically controlling powdery mildew. Watering in the morning, close to sunrise, will allow the sun and air to dry your plants out before mildew can form. If you were to water in the evening, the moisture would likely remain on the plant much longer, increasing the risk of powdery mildew. The way you water your garden is also important. Using a sprinkler places much of the water on the roots and leaves of your plants. By using a soaker hose, more of the water penetrates the soil to the roots, with virtually no water collecting on the stems and leaves. Stems and leaves are more susceptible to powdery mildew.
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References
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