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Powdery Mildew

01/02/2020 4:49 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Powdery Mildew by Eleanor MacIver

In the January/February, 2003 issue of the African Violet Magazine, one method of combating powdery mildew is described as using 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water, as a spray. I have tried this method, using very warm water, since water cools rapidly as it comes in contact with air. Cold water could mar the foliage. I sprayed only a few of my plants, all of which I had duplicates, and was quite pleased with the results.I tried this method as I use no toxic chemicals on my plants. 

After a 3 week period, I then sprayed all violets that showed any symptoms of mildew. I sprayed very generously, with the solution dripping from the leaves.

The result after 2 weeks of observation was interesting. The mildew was eliminated with no damage to any leaves except a light, milky appearance on some of them, which was easily rinsed off. However, all blooms that were close to going by, succumbed to the treatment, and a few of the healthy blooms received milky, mist spots.

The newer cultivars showed much less damage, and for the most part, none. The vintage violets and original 10, suffered the most noticeable damage. I did not spray my species, as oddly enough, none of them contacted powdery mildew, so I do not know how they would have responded.

This is a treatment that kills mildew on contact, and at the same time, refreshes the plant with nice, warm moisture, which they love. Iā€™m sure the mildew will reappear as the treatment is not systemic, but, so far my collection is much happier.

If you try this method, please test your results on only a few plants at first, as growing conditions vary.


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