Info on Powdery Mildew:
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants. Powdery mildew diseases are caused by many different species of fungi in the order Erysiphales. This is one of the easier diseases to spot, as the symptoms are quite distinctive. Infected plants display white powder-like spots on the leaves and stems. They look almost as if someone tipped a spray-paint can upside down and sprayed up in the air, letting the paint “dust” or fall onto the leaves and stems. It might be identified incorrectly as dust that has accumulated on the leaves. The lower leaves are the most affected, but the mildew can appear on any part of the plant that shows above the ground. As the disease progresses, the spots get larger and thicker as massive numbers of spores form, and the mildew spreads up and down the length of the plant. In most cases this fungal growth can be partially removed by rubbing the leaves. This growth will eventually affect the fruit or flowers. Nutrients are removed from the plant by the fungus and this can result in a general decline in the growth and vigor of the plant. Severe powdery mildew infection will result in yellowed leaves, dried and brown leaves, and disfigured shoots and flowers. Powdery mildew fungi produce airborne spores and infect plants when temperatures are moderate (60 to 80 degrees F.). It prefers high humidity; above 50% to thrive. It can spread and colonize without water being directly on the leaves. Powdery mildew is notoriously hard to kill, and is the second most common problem that we run into with gardeners. Infection definitely depends on the location the garden is in. Higher humidity locales will encounter problems with powdery mildew more frequently than gardens in dryer environments. Below we list a good set of solutions for this disease.
General Remedies and Environmental Control:
Temperature above 80 degrees F. will ward off Powdery Mildew. If using CO2you can take your plants from their ideal 86degrees F. to upwards of 90-92 degrees F, at the plant level, which will deter the growth of this mold. Humidity below 45%(40% is about the lowest you will want to go to not avoid hurting your plants.) If none of the other remedies below can be procured, than sodium bicarbonate can be used. Simply mix 1 tsp. of Baking Soda, 1 quart purified water, and 1-2 drops of a soft detergent into a spray bottle and apply to any infected area. Continuer-applying every 2-3 days, or as needed.
Sulfur Burners/Vaporizer:
Sulfur Vaporizers (Burners) are the best overall remedy to the powdery mildew problem. It is what commercial greenhouses use for a very good reason - it works. Sulfur changes the pH on the leaf surface, making it inhospitable for plant growth. If you want the “final solution” to an infestation, than use a burner. They smell something awful (Sulfur is not safe to inhale. Do NOT enter the sulfur cloud) and create a huge amount of smoke when being burned. Use a Digital Timer in conjunction with our Sulfur Burner and your exhaust/inline fan(s); this will manage the Sulfur application and prevent exhaust fans from turning on while the Sulfur is being applied. Hooking the burner up to a timer is critical. We also recommend having the exhaust fan hooked up to another timer (turning on after the Sulfur burner has been turned off) to vent the room.
Application Instructions:
For best results make sure to follow these instructions closely:
For preventative use turn on the unit for 4-5 hours 2 times per week.
For active infestation turn on the unit 4-5 hours 4 times per week. Can use up to 6-8 hours a night for severe infestations. Also the cup needs to be adjusted properly over the heat plate (lower the cup down all the way, so that it rests on the heating element), and the right amount of sulfur needs to be added (the cup must be cleaned, and filled half-way up with approx.100g. of sulfur) or a flame can result from the canister within. Make sure to turn OFF exhaust fans and lights during operation.
Make sure plants are dry., Burners are lit during the plants “night” (dark) cycle only.
