I've had luck with water & milk, 50:50 against powdery mildew.
it lives in the soil too. just a few applications and you'll see an improvement.
why let it spread?
Discussion
When do you apply?
when I see it starting. because I'm not sure how effective it is as a prophylactic... also, I usually forget. :)
cukes got it bad one year & spread to my comfrey.
mixed up a half gallon milk with half gallon of water... sprayed the leaves liberally, soaked the soil around the plants. did it again a few days later.
didn't have any sign of it this year, but I can't say for sure it lasts.
Ill have to try this. I had a lot of powdery mildew this year on my plants. I’m thinking it’s genetics since I’ve been reusing seed for several years and the mildew is getting worse every year.
I forgot to say, leave the milk out overnight. it's those bacteria that eat/fight/kill the PW... or so I've been told.
I guess my battle with it has gotten better over time. just now realizing that. it was a few years ago that I had it bad. last couple of years, there has been any, and we had a cool wet summer in central ny.
correction *hasn't been any in the last couple years.
Ill keep in mind for next year. Everything is harvested for this year. Maybe I should spray the ground to be sure. We have raw milk, hopefully that works even better.
it is used as fertilizer. but like anything, start with a little and add as you go. too much of a good thing can be bad. saturated soil on a warm day might get funky.