Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Powdery Mildew on Blackcurrant

Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
in Fruit & veg
So.. I went to the GC a few weeks ago to pick up some veg, and bought a blackcurrant 'Consort' on impulse.  I was hustling to get in an out, to avoid risk.. so didn't really do a proper check.  When I got home I noticed a bit of mild powdery mildew on a few leaves.  I've been treating with a milk solution in bright sunlight (30% milk, 70% water) using a spray bottle to coat the tops and bottoms of all leaves.  My internet research seems to say this is good as a preventative, but not treatment.  I feel it probably helps to keep the spores stuck to the leaf and reduce spread.. and it hasn't harmed the bush, so I've done it about every 5 days or when I notice some white fluff returning.  Plant is healthy otherwise, and has been hardened off and just planted in the ground.  

My questions:
1. How do I prevent the mildew from spreading to my red currents and the rest of my garden plants?  It's a distance from the other currents, but next to blackberries, mint, and hollyhocks.  
2. How do I prevent it from infecting the plant next year?


Utah, USA.

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited June 2020
    Powdery mildew tends to only affect already stressed plants, particularly ones suffering from drought and GCs are infamous for not watering plants on display enough.. Blackcurrants need a lot of water so I would water them deeply and regularly until the autumn.  As long as your other plants are growing healthily, it is unlikely to spread to those. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Thanks!  I've only had issues with Powdery Mildew on squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers, etc.. it's never been an issue elsewhere in my garden.  It doesn't really rain in Utah much for most of the summer, so I'll give it a good soak as needed direct at the base.  
    Blackcurrants are difficult to find in the US, due to being unpopular in favor of red currants.. so I was super excited to find some.  I actually ordered a red current and a blackcurrent via post from a reputable garden company.. but last year they finally both fruited.. and were both red.  I couldn't be bothered chasing the company down for a refund or replacement. 

    Hopefully I have more success with this one.  
    Utah, USA.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    Well at least you now have an unlimited supply, they grow from cuttings really easily, lop a bit off in the autumn and stick it in the ground, keep it damp and in the spring you have a new little plant. Probably leave that one alone this year though :p

Sign In or Register to comment.