Well, I spose I haven't got mildew any more...

[Rabidbun]

Does it count if the leaves it was on died?

Tried the baking soda/soap method - worked great the first time and got rid of most of the mildew. I think I did it wrong this time, as it got rid of the leaves (kinda utterly burnt looking in large patches, not necessarily where the mildew was either, which is just weird...)!

[zazen999]

Leaves on what?

[Rabidbun]

All my squashes - summer and autumn *blushes*. They only had a couple of fruits on each at least, so if they die I don't lose much, but it's been a while since I managed planticide...

[zazen999]

I just take mildewy leaves off.

[Rabidbun]

*nods* I was going to do that this year (thanks though, I did this last year and it kept three out of four plants alive at least) but three of the plants had over 90 percent of the leaves mildewed this time (was only around half the leaves last year), so I was nervous of taking so many of them off. How many leaves can they lose and still live do you know?

Ironically it has worked out the same in any event, just me killing the leaves off directly instead of losing them gradually to the mildew! I am not sure that squashes and me gel too well somehow.

[zazen999]

I think as long as there's one or two it should be ok.......

[Rabidbun]

Doh, these might be doomed then! Ah well, at least I know now and can prepare for the worst/refilling the containers, thanks!

It's annoying though, my garden seems to attract the stuff, along with grey mould and a rather odd looking sooty mould this year too - goodness knows where it was hiding when there were shrubs in it! Would probably be ideal for growing mushrooms if I only wasn't allergic!

[zazen999]

It's the rain, and humidity in this fiippin country. Esp inland. Have you tried growing on top of cardboard to try and keep any mould under the card? If you have alot of it?

[Rabidbun]

Ooo, will try that next year, cheers!

The garden is a stunner really (when there's no mould) - very little yet sheltered sun trap. At least it would be if we had sun *chuckles*. Don't know what's with the weather this last few years, but I think it may have heard me talking about getting a greenhouse and growing some veggies...

[zazen999]

*Butts back in - or put straw under them. I grow mine on the edge of beds and let them trail over the bark or weed fabric so that no mud splashes onto them - it also helps with ripening them. But I'm quite vigilant/harsh and one little bit of dodgy leaf and off it comes.

[Rabidbun]

Ah, that could work well for my setup then! If I pick my way through the plants to get to the greenhouse and other beds I could in theory give that a go and grow them over the edge onto the paving slab paths and/or gravel next year.

What sort of room do you give between main stem and the edge of the bed/other plants in the bed? Am feeling all hopeful for next year now! *grins broadly*

[zazen999]

What sort of room do you give between main stem and the edge of the bed/other plants in the bed? Am feeling all hopeful for next year now! *grins broadly*

I plant them as close to the edge as I can get away with and then point them in the direction that I want them to grow, and put sticks up to keep them on track; but once they start going they really start going. I try and have a small path in between all their foliage - a battle I'm losing at the moment

[Rabidbun]

Many thanks, formulating a brand new planting plan for next year with this in mind! Hubby thinks I am nuts for redoing it all of course, but that's usual.

[zazen999]

A little piccie of the technique in action...one end of a pumpkin plant which is nicely ripening on the path.....

[Rabidbun]

Definitely healthier than mine! Nice looking plant and pumpkin that.