Courgette Leaves are covered in a white powder!!

[Daphne1411]

My courgette plants are doing great but a lot of the leaves are now either mottled or covered in a white powdery substance. It rubs off when I rub my finger tips over them. I've looked for insects-none around. Is this something that needs treating? If so, what is it and what do I use to treat it?
Thanks

[sewer rat]

Tis Powdery Mildew. Have a look at the link below.
Powdery Mildew in Courgettes Top Veg

[Daphne1411]

I've had a look and it seems this might be it but it states that young leaves and shoots are affected. All of the older leaves are affected, the younger ones and shoots are fine.....so far. Looks like a trip to a garden centre to find some nasty stuff to get rid of it!
Will it affect future courgettes that are growing on the plants?

[sdgtiger]

Been growing courgettes for a few years now and this happens to mine every year. If i was you i would not even bother trying to get anything for it as it seems not to affect the courgette growth and only appears on older leaves. I have never treated it and have always had bumper crfops of courgettes

[Florence Fennel]

Mine too get this every year and still produce lots of courgettes. I'm feeding them this year for the first time, so it will be interesting to see if they still develop the mildew.

[maytreefrannie]

My courgette leaves are mottled with whitish spots but they are producing fruit, so I'm with Florence Fennel - I don't think it'll deter them. I've fed mine this year, Florence, and there's still some on the leaves.

I'd be interested to know if your feeding keeps yours free of it.

[Two_Sheds]

an older thread: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ins_20334.html

[gojiberry]

Milk will control your powdery mildew. Dilute 1 to 10 in water and spray infected plants. It is usually the older leaves that get infected first and any really bad ones can be cut off. In really bad cases the plant can fail si it is worth treating.

Ian