Is this powery mildew?

[Minerva]

I had a look at my baby curly parsley plants today and some of the leaves have some white powder on them.

Is this mildew or something else to be concerned about? If so, what's the best way to get rid of it?

Thanks!

[Jeanied]

Hi Minerva - it is a little difficult to tell from the photos but maybe this link will have some ideas what to do. I was pleased to see a home remedy recommended amongst the advice.
Controlling and Preventing Powdery Mildew on Plants
It has just occured to me - do you think the tips may have been burned by frost? Or has the plant dried out? The mildew sits on the surface but drying and scorching is in the tissue of the leaf.

[Minerva]

Thanks for the link Jeanied!

Now I know from the link that if it is powdery mildew, the mildew is "host specific, meaning the different powdery mildew fungi infect different plants. The powdery mildew on your lilacs will not spread to your grapes or your roses." so my other plants aren't affected.

The plants are in a greenhouse this whiteness wasn't there a week or two ago when it has gotten warmer so I don't think they were burnt by frost. When I picked off those leaves from the plant, some powdery residue came off and rubbed off on to my fingers, if that helps describe it better.

Edit: Actually I see what you mean by the tips looking like they are burnt by frost. There's also a faint white powder on the surface of the leaves though. The leave in the background on the right in the second photo has quite a bit.

[chriscross1966]

Could be scorch if they're in a greenhouse... do you get condensation in the morning and sunshine at the same time?
chrisc

[piskieinboots]

Tis difficult to tell - but I would say not powdery mildrew

[zazen999]

I would say it's more likely to be some deficiency rather than powdery mildew. Try picking off all the leaves that have it and giving it a good seaweed feed and see if the new growth has it in a few weeks. When are you planning on putting it in the ground?

[Flummery]

It looks like scorch to me. It can be caused by water on the leaves (from watering or from dew or condensation) which gets a good warm sun on it - especially if it's under glass. It could also be frost. Lawd knows we've had enough!

I don't think it will harm your plant and the new leaves should be fine.

[Minerva]

Thank you all for your replies!

I've picked off the affected leaves as suggested. Fingers crossed that'll be the last I see of this

[Flummery]

I'd have left them on! But then, I'm like that.

[Minerva]

> When are you planning on putting it in the ground?

I was going to leave them in pots but have them outside I suppose when the risk of frost had passed. Only because I've read some plants need this although my parsleys have been able to take snow before.