Powdery mildew - what is it? how to treat it?

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects a variety of plants. Infected plants have white powdery spots on their leaves. It will look as if someone has sprinkled some flour on them. As a result of this leaves die, growth of plants get retarded and yield starts to rot leading to the death of the plant. 

Listed below are some natural remedies which can help in treating powdery mildew.....

1.Milk: Diluted cow milk 40% + water 60%. Mix well. Spray weekly once. 

2. Garlic: In a mixi blend 2 to 3 bulbs of garlic with some water and add 5ml soapnut solution to this. Strain and keep aside. Take 10ml of this concoction to a litré of water and spray.

3. Water: Just simple watering will wash away the mildew...give your plants a good rub dub.

4. Baking Soda: 1 tbsp baking/cooking soda + 5ml neem oil + 5ml soapnut solution + 3-4 litres of water. Mix well. Spray once in 15 days.

5. Vinegar: 1 tbsp vinegar in 1 litre of water. Mix well and spray weekly once. Be careful not to spill over to other healthy plants élse they could die.

6. Prune: Over crowding and poor air circulation will also result in mildew.

7. Copper Buttermilk Spray: Soak copper wire or vessel in buttermilk, dilute ànd spray. Detailed recipe is there in my upcoming book Home Gardening - the Natural way.

8. Onions: Soak onion peels in water. Dilute and spray

9. Bio Fungicides: Pseudomonas florescence or Trichoderma viridi 20ml to a litré of water when sprayed will work wonders.

10. Turmeric:  Diluting little raw milk with turmeric powder and water and spraying will hélp control powdery mildew.

11. Ash: Make a concoction of 1tsp ash + 1 litre water + 30ml raw milk. Mix well and spray.

Happy Gardening!!!!