United States Edition

The fungus among us...

  • ruthiebaby88 Folia Supporter 151 plants United States6b

    I have some plants that are covered in powdery mildew, but still ripening fruit – a melon and some squash.

    So do I get rid of them to get the mildew out of my garden or do I let them live until their fruits ripen?

    Expecting frost in 3 weeks.

    0 thumbs up!
    Posted 9 months ago
  • Folia Supporter
    44 plants United States10a

    I think you’re done. Pick and toss the smaller fruit, leaving only the full sized ones. If there are good fruits grown, but not ripe, you can try spraying the mildew with safer soap, and see if the fruit will ripen in the meantime. Or you can pick everything, keeping what may ripen a bit on the wildowsill, or be used green in pickles or whatnot, and celebrate your successes this year. I’d probably go with the latter, and a glass of hard cider.

  • 2 thumbs up!
    Posted 9 months ago
  • Folia Supporter
    580 plants United States8b

    if its just mildew on the old leaves you can cut them off and spray the new leaves with a baking soda spray to prevent them from getting mildew. If the whole plant is covered and no new leaves are appearing then its on its way out and you may as well harvest.

  • 0 thumbs up!
    Posted 9 months ago
  • Folia Supporter
    151 plants United States6b

    I think it’s closer to the last scenario. How many leaves does a plant need to keep growing fruit I wonder? If there are 2-3 clean leaves is it worth leaving it?

  • 0 thumbs up!
    Posted 9 months ago
  • Folia Supporter
    580 plants United States8b

    I would guess that if there are still some clean leaves it probably can continue to ripen fruit for a little while

  • 0 thumbs up!
    Posted 9 months ago
  • Folia Supporter
    151 plants United States6b

    Thanks!

  • 0 thumbs up!
    Posted 9 months ago

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