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Powdery mildew on courgettes and way to stop it?

alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OFalexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF Posts: 163
in Fruit & veg
I'm growing courgettes and they're doing well with nice fresh leaves coming through and flowers/fruit developing. However some of the large leaves have multiple spots of mildew. What should I do?
Happy Gardening

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It usually happens when the plants have been a bit dry at the roots earlier ... mine have it at the moment as I delayed planting them out because of the weather and I should really have potted them on but I was short of compost ... so they did get a bit dry one day ... it's happened before ... I find that ensuring the plant gets plenty of water at the roots usually means that no real harm is done.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OFalexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF Posts: 163
    It's a slightly odd as I've been watering all my plants well every morning. However it's only on the mature leaves and most of the fresh growth is good.
    Happy Gardening
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Are you sure it’s mildew? Some varieties develop a silvery sheen on older leaves which is often mistaken for mildew. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OFalexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF Posts: 163
    Yes it's definitely mildew. I just cut off a couple of the old leaves that were worst affected
    Happy Gardening
  • alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OFalexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF Posts: 163
    Lots of little white spots. On some of the older slug affected leaves they were all white with a slightly fluffy look.
    Happy Gardening
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think just keep up with daily deep watering at the base of the plants … and 🤞 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I got fed up with this happening to mine so decided not to grow them again from last year.
  • WolveryetiWolveryeti Posts: 21
    Milk spray:
    https://www.growveg.co.uk/guides/using-milk-to-prevent-powdery-mildew/

    Alternatively grow Tromboncinos - picked young they are very good eating and courgette like and being from Cucurbita Moschata carry a natural resistance to mildew.
  • alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OFalexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF Posts: 163
    I'm growing courgette nice a round. Any ideas when they should be harvested. Some said tennis ball size bu that seems very small.
    Happy Gardening
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF said:
    I'm growing courgette nice a round. Any ideas when they should be harvested. Some said tennis ball size bu that seems very small.

    Which variety are they?
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