Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

Banana Gallery - Powdery mildew on Papaya plants
Sorry, cannot post photo from tablet, will try to do so tomorrow from my computer.

After a much needed rain storm last week, I noticed some bad powdery mildew on my Papaya plants. They are between 6' and 7' tall with their first flowers, so not easy to treat.
Any suggestions on what to do?

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

Copper. Locally, Liqui-Cop, probably at Walter Andersen in Point Loma.

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

I use plain vitamin d milk in a sprayer ......just liberally spray it on .
You may do a 50/50 mix water,milk.
It is a Jerry Baker the garden guy remedy..
And it is organic!...it does work and you probably have some in the fridge.
Here is a link to an article that is of interest.

http://www.growveg.com/growblogpost.aspx?id=242

I spray my Cukes and Monarda when they get it during the humid spells in August.

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

Wow! I did not know that. Great trick! Will use it for sure on my zucchinis next summer.

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

For a different rot disease (phytoptera) researchers have found that removing the old leaves and petioles is far better than the usual just letting them rot on the ground around the plant. Maybe that will help with the mildew also.

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

It would be organic only if you used Organic Milk. I would use it if it weren't so expensive

George

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

I do like the idea of organic and/or spraying with milk. Tried a 50%/50% solution last year on my squash and water melon, but I failed. It seems to be more a preventative or a cure for very mild cases of mildew and it has to be reapplied over and over again.
I think this time I might have to go with the copper.

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

I agree.....time to put the copper hammer to it.
I am a fan of soy/almond milk........vanilla, to drink that is.:)

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

also, try serenade as a preventative. it is harmless, colonizes the leaves, and prevents the harmful stuff from establishing. it stinks to high hell, but helps prevent mildew, mold and athracnose. Serenade® Garden Disease Control Spray | Gardener's Supply

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

Another organic option is Potassium silicate.

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

I'm gonna try a cinnamon infusion for the mold on my banana. I'll let you know if it works...

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

Luckily there is no mold on the banana plants.

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

There is on mine! All white and puffy... I lost 2 pups so far...

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

It's on the pseudostem.

Re: Powdery mildew on Papaya plants - seeking advice
 

University of Hawaii recommends several fungicides, some organic some not. In the organic category is elemental sulfur, but not copper. I've tried them both, and copper seemed to do little or nothing. Sulfur offers some control, but nothing cures it -- at least so says UH.