Powdery mildew is a fungal disease of plants. It is generated by parasitic fungi living on green parts, most often on leaves.
It is dangerous in that it causes exhaustion, decay, and subsequently the death of the plant. Powdery mildew can get sick not only indoor flowers, it affects garden fruit bushes, adult strong trees.
Often the disease is very difficult to treat and it is not possible to save the plants.
The causes and symptoms of powdery mildew on home flowers
It is easy to determine the disease, it is enough to know how it looks on home plants: leaf blades, stems are covered with voluminous white spots. Outwardly, the flower looks like flour was sprinkled on it. These are spores of a parasitic nature, which, after maturation, emit droplets of liquid similar to dew.
At the initial stages of the development of the disease, mushroom spores are mistaken for ordinary dust and simply try to erase. But this measure does not help.
The plaque rises again. First, basal leaves in the outer and back sides are affected, then the rest of the plant, including the stems, flowers and buds, are covered with white spots with uneven edges. Over time, the spots become brown.
Sleep spores are often present in the soil. Under certain conditions, they wake up and begin active life.
The causes of powdery mildew in indoor flowers:
- Improper watering, both excessive and inadequate.
- Too frequent and plentiful spraying, after which drops of moisture remain on the leaves.
- Excessive thickening of landings.
- Weakening of indoor plants as a result of damage by insects, other diseases, improper care.
- Potassium deficiency in the soil.
- Excess nitrogen.
- High humidity in the room - above 60%.
- Very high air temperature - +25 ° C and above.
- Contact with infected plants through humans, insects, drafts.
- Unfiltered irrigation water.
What is the danger of powdery mildew?
Up to 60% of affected plants die. Malicious spores spread very easily, and the disease is difficult to treat.
Here are just some of the effects of powdery mildew:
- The difficult process of photosynthesis, due to which the plant as a whole suffers.
- Lack of nutrients.
- Growth retardation.
- Inhibition of flowering.
- The death of leaves and buds.
Very often, decorative-flowering house plants with large flowers and leaves, such as gerbera, violet, chrysanthemum, etc., suffer from this disease.
It should be distinguished from powdery mildew from false (peronosporosis). They look almost the same. With downy mildew, only the back of the leaf is covered with a coating. 
Downy mildew
Very soon it turns yellow, and then turns brown. The methods of dealing with them are different.
The fight against powdery mildew on indoor plants at home: tools and methods
A diseased flower becomes a carrier of infection, so immediately after the detection of symptoms of powdery mildew, a pot or flower pot with a flower must be isolated and contact with other indoor plants located in the room should be limited, otherwise the disease can spread rapidly.
For the same reason, purchased or donated indoor flowers should be quarantined for up to 10 days.
Immediately before treatment and during procedures, the regimen of the plant should be changed. To do this, observe the following rules:
- Remove all affected leaves, buds, stems. Also cut off the lower leaves and branches that are in direct contact with the ground.
- Remove the upper part of the soil and replace it with a new one.
- Thoroughly wash and sanitize the pan or pots used to collect excess moisture when watering.
- Reduce watering and do not spray the plant during the use of drugs.
- Do not apply top dressing. With the successful end of the disease, subsequently, for the purpose of prevention, abandon nitrogen fertilizers, replacing them with phosphorus-potassium.
- It is better to choose a well-lit place for keeping the plant in quarantine, but not hot and ventilated.
Means for mildew on domestic plants are used different:
- chemical;
- biological;
- folk.
Folk remedies in the fight against powdery mildew
Folk remedies are available, found in almost every home and will not cause any harm. They can also be used for prevention. A few recipes for spray mixtures:
Ash + Soap
100 g of sifted wood ash are taken per liter of warm water. Stir and insist for about a week, occasionally shaking. After the expiration of the liquid is drained, trying not to raise the sediment. To it add 50 g of laundry soap shavings, wait for complete dissolution. You can use liquid soap. With this solution, the plant is sprayed daily for a week.
Blue vitriol + soap
50 g of soap, prepared in the same way as in the previous recipe, are dissolved in 5 liters of warm water. Separately, in a glass of water (250 g) stir the powder of copper sulfate (5 g). Gradually, pour in a thin stream into a soap solution. Spray damaged flowers every other day until the symptoms of powdery mildew disappear.
Mustard
Mustard powder (2 tablespoons without slide) stir in 10 liters of water. A day later, the infusion is ready. They can water the soil and spray the ground parts of the plant. It is better to alternate both for 10 days.
Milk
It will require sour milk, yogurt, or even better whey. Dilute with water in a ratio of 1: 3 and process plaque on indoor plants once every three days for two weeks. This method is good in that the solution can be used immediately, without insisting, and you can always prepare a new portion.
Powdery mildew biological products on indoor plants
Biological preparations are less effective than chemical ones. But they are less harmful. They are safe for the flower itself, and for humans and all who have contact with the plant.
At the heart of their action are living bacteria, which naturally fight the mycelium of the fungus, inhibiting it and inhibiting it.
The most common and affordable drugs are: Fitosporin, Alirin, Gamair, etc.
Apply strictly in accordance with the instructions. To achieve a lasting result, biological treatment must be repeated several times.
Means of mildew at home
The harmful effects of fungicidal (chemical) drugs are well known. They resort to them only in extreme cases, when the disease is severely neglected, but you do not want to lose a particularly valuable specimen from your home collection.
In order not to suffer from the use of toxic agents, you need to carefully study the recommendations on the application and use of personal safety measures.
At home, it is allowed to use: Topaz, Fundazol, Vitaros, etc.
The complex of application of various means
The most tangible effect is the combined use of various means. The fight should be fought in all directions.
Heavily affected plants are treated with fungicides. The effect is fixed with biological products. And for prevention they use folk recipes.
It is important to use gloves and even special clothing for any contact with a diseased plant. Otherwise, the florist himself risks becoming a peddler of spores of harmful mycelium, if, after contact with the affected flower, he touches healthy plants.
Mr. Summer resident informs: the prevention of powdery mildew on indoor plants
Getting rid of powdery mildew is not easy, so it’s easier to pay more attention to preventive measures. Simple tips will protect plants from other diseases and insect parasites.
- Spray warningly with a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) or sulfur. They are sold in ordinary pharmacies. This procedure is especially important during the period of heat and long daylight hours, namely from May to September. One such spraying per month is enough to protect the plants.
- At risk are indoor flowers in a stuffy room or vice versa, standing in a draft. It is necessary to create comfortable conditions for green pets so that they are healthy.
- Avoid too humid climate that may occur on the balcony during prolonged rains or with the onset of cold weather.
Do not overfill or overdry the soil. - Remove wilted leaves and flowers in time to prevent rot.
- Prevent the appearance of scale insects and aphids. They are carriers of other diseases and weaken the immunity of plants.
For the same reason, do not use the land taken from summer cottages, humus, purchased soil without heat treatment. They may be infected.
