Treatment of indoor plants from powdery mildew: signs of the disease, methods of control and prevention with the help of drugs and folk recipes

The question of how to deal with powdery mildew arises among summer residents very often. The problem worries many, since powdery mildew is a disease that affects vegetable, fruit, berry, and flower crops, and it is not easy to fight it. However, it is necessary to fight, otherwise powdery mildew can both worsen the appearance of plants and destroy the crop.

This disease is very insidious and widespread. In many cases, non-chemical agents help. In an advanced situation, you should fight the infection with the help of special drugs.

What does powdery mildew look like?

Outwardly, the disease looks like a white fluffy bloom, for which it was called leucorrhoea. On closer inspection of the affected leaves, you can see that the white bloom is not spots, but mycelium.

The first manifestations of the disease:

White bloom appears on both sides of the leaves. It is easy to wipe off and is often mistaken for dust.
Shapeless white spots begin to appear on stems and buds.
After a while, the spots begin to increase in size and thicken.
White bloom begins to darken and takes on a brownish tint.

Interesting! Very often it is not possible to save flowers from ashtrays. The disease can even destroy a 50-year-old oak tree.

Symptoms

Powdery mildew is easy to define, as it has rather characteristic symptoms. It begins with small white spots on the top of the leaf. Gradually, the spots increase and cover the entire leaf as a whole, move over the entire aerial part of the plant. As the disease progresses, the spots become larger, denser and whiter: the bushes look like they have been doused with lime mortar. And upon closer inspection, the leaves seem to be covered with the thinnest layer of cotton wool or cobwebs - this is the white mycelium of the fungus, consisting of numerous conidia collected in chains.

Where does powdery mildew come from?

Belle is caused by fungal spores. It is in the soil in "sleep mode". The fungus is activated when the conditions for flower care are violated.

So, the causes of the appearance of the disease are:

high air humidity, in the region of 60-80%;
air temperature above + 25 ° С;
excess nitrogen in the soil;
lack of calcium in the soil;
density of flowers;
damage to the plant by pests;
improper spraying, when drops of water remain on the leaves of flowers for a long time;
improper watering: either excess liquid, or constant overdrying of the earth.

In addition, spores of powdery mildew often enter plants from the outside, namely:

by air from an infected specimen;
through the water used for irrigation (spores enter it from an infected specimen);
a person can also act as a carrier of the disease if he touched an infected flower, and then a healthy one;
pests can also be carriers.

Important! At the first manifestations of the disease on a flower, it should be immediately isolated from other plants. Otherwise, it will not be possible to avoid the spread of leucorrhoea.

Danger of ashtrays for indoor plants

The disease not only spoils the decorative appearance of the flower, but also poses a threat to its life. Dangerous with such consequences:

violation of photosynthesis;
the development and growth of flowers deteriorates;
dying off of leaves and buds;
stopping the flowering process;
the plant stops receiving nutrients.

Belle affects not only leaves, buds or shoots. It completely destroys the flower, without the possibility of its rehabilitation.

Signs of the onset of the disease

As already mentioned, the first sign of appearance is a white bloom. First, it strikes both sides of the bottom sheets, which are located in close proximity to the ground. In the absence of a response, the disease begins to spread throughout the flower.

Signs of defeat:

Plaque passes from the leaves to the stem, young shoots, buds and fruits. After a few days, the color of the spots may change and become brown. The spots grow and increase in size.
A few days after the onset of the disease, the lower leaves begin to turn yellow, sag and die as a result.
A kind of brown fruit appears on the plant. Their diameter varies in the range of 0.2-0.3 mm. These "fruits" contain fungal spores.
The flower takes on a sick appearance. The buds, shoots and stem begin to turn yellow, dry up and the plant dies.

Attention! Very often, false mildew is mistaken for real powdery mildew. This is because outwardly the diseases look almost the same - a bloom of white appears on the sheets. However, with downy mildew, plaque is formed exclusively on the lower part of the leaf. Then it turns yellow, grows and turns brown.

Chemicals

Amistar EXTRA... A highly effective chemical, certainly not on a budget. For a 5 liter canister in stores, on average, they take 15-18 thousand rubles. A wide range of actions, not only fights the pest, but also has beneficial properties on the plant (regulates water balance and much more). If the pesticide is used strictly according to the instructions, no phytotoxicity occurs.
Vitaros... This drug specializes in protecting bulbous flowers. The average cost is 12-15 rubles. Completely destroys the infection in two days. It not only fights pests, but also creates a protective barrier against subsequent possible infections.
Acrobat MC... Produced in the form of granules (price per 1 kg - 1.5 thousand rubles, for 10 - 14 thousand rubles). A systemic fungicide, it does an excellent job of eliminating the fungus, it acts not only as a therapeutic, but also as a protective drug. It is not phytotoxic; if necessary, it can be used together with other drugs. With strict adherence to the instructions, there are no problems with subsequent attacks of the fungus.
Fundazol... Sold in powder form, 60 rubles per 10 grams. Watering plants requires only 1 gram per liter of water. Therefore, the consumption is correspondingly small. For the complete destruction of powdery mildew, it is necessary to carry out 3 treatments. This fungicide is the real subject of controversy. Some holders of indoor plants claim that there is no need to use it at home, they say it is too toxic. Others, on the contrary, fell in love with it for its high efficiency and rapid destruction of various kinds of infections.

How to carry out the treatment with chemistry?

Don't forget about safety

First, prepare the territory. Leave only those plants that are to be processed, remove others away. Mix the drug with water strictly in the proportions indicated in the instructions (each drug has its own recommendations for each species / family, pay attention to this). Then spray thoroughly. Even if only the leaves or some specific part are damaged, it is necessary to process the entire plant completely.

Don't forget about your own appearance. Closed clothing should be worn to prevent possible skin contact.If the chemical does get on your skin, immediately rinse the area with copious amounts of water, and if you accidentally swallow a tablet, drink activated charcoal, 2 liters of water and induce vomiting.

If there are signs of poisoning, consult a doctor immediately, it is better to call an ambulance.

How to fight?

To combat, you can use special chemicals, biological agents, alternative methods of treatment. However, it is important to understand that an integrated approach will give an effective result.

So, medicines may not give the desired result if you do not follow the correct agricultural techniques:

Tear off the lower leaves located near the ground. Remove all affected peduncles.
In flower pots, remove the topsoil and replace it with a new one.
For the period of treatment, stop water spraying.
The affected specimen should be taken out on a lighted sunny windowsill. At the same time, make sure that direct sunlight does not fall on it. Do not remove the flower until it is completely cured.
Watering should be carried out only after the top of the earth has dried.
Stop fertilizing during the treatment period.
During remission, give up nitrogen fertilizers and switch to phosphorus-potassium.

Biological preparations

Biofungicides (biological preparations) contain live bacteria that suppress the growth of fungi. These drugs are environmentally friendly and do not harm indoor flowers. However, in terms of the effectiveness of the fight, they are much weaker than chemical agents.

In addition, the effect of biofungicides is limited in time. Therefore, multiple applications are required for treatment.

The most common biologics are:

Fitosporin-M;
Gamair;
Alirin-B;
Planriz.

Before using drugs, you must read the instructions for use.

Chemicals

Fungicides - chemical agents - should be used only if the flower is severely damaged. These drugs are made on the basis of chemical compounds, and therefore require compliance with safety measures and extreme caution when using them.

Fungicides are fast and highly effective. On the negative side, toxicity can be noted.

Popular chemicals:

Topaz;
Fundazol;
Amistar;
Vitaros;
Speed

Important: it is forbidden to store fungicides in a diluted state!

Folk remedies

Folk remedies also have an impact in the fight against laundry. The most effective ones:

Ash. To prepare the solution, it should be in 1 liter. hot water (not boiling water!) Stir 100 g of ash. Leave to infuse for 7 days, stirring occasionally. After the time has elapsed, pour the liquid (do not touch the ash sediment!) Into a separate bucket and add about 50 g of liquid soap. Stir. Spray flowers with a solution of ash daily for 4 days. The ash sediment is stirred with water and poured over the flowers.
Milk serum. It is bred at the rate of 1:10. Flowers are irrigated once every 3 days. The course of treatment is 12 days.
Copper-soap solution. In 250 ml. hot water should be diluted with 5 g of copper sulfate. Take 5 liters. warm water, and dissolve in it 50 g of soap (preferably household). Stir. Then, gently, in a thin stream, pour the vitriol solution into the soap composition, stirring occasionally. Indoor flowers are sprayed with this composition 3 times a week.
Mustard. In 10 liters. Pour 2 tbsp of warm water. mustard powder, mix. Leave for a day. You can spray flowers with a mustard solution and water them. Spraying should be done every other day for 7 days.

Disease prevention

Powdery mildew is able to live in the soil for 10 years without showing itself.

Preventive measures will help prevent the development of the disease. So:

Every year from the end of May to the beginning of September, it is necessary to spray with sulfur or manganese solution.The best option would be 4-5 sprays during the specified period.
Ventilate the premises frequently, but avoid drafts. Avoid stagnant air.
Do not leave flowers on the balcony during rainy periods when the humidity rises.
Do not use soil from summer cottages for indoor flowers. It can be infected with a fungus.
Limit the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Plant immunity is strengthened by phosphorus or potassium supplements.
Avoid the appearance of aphids or scale insects. These pests are carriers of ashtrays.
Remove dried leaves and damaged leaves, buds and shoots.
Avoid stagnation of water on the leaves and in the soil.
Do not allow the soil to dry out.

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