Powdery Mildew

[Jonnyt]

All my greenhouse tomatoes seem to be dying from what looks like powdery mildew. I've been chopping all the bad leafs out but its a thankless task.

Is there any treatment for this or how in the future do I stop it happening?

[rustylady]

Are you sure it's powdery mildew? Pictures would help. And whatever it is you need to increase ventilation

[TrialAndError]

And remove some of the leaves if the foliage is crowded to help air circulation.

[bario1]

More likely to be botrytis? But the answer's the same, remove all affected leaves and increase ventilation.

[vixylix]

I think I have it on my courgettes too - although they're outside but I guess its the constant rain we've had lately? I didnt realise I had to remove the leaves... may be too late now

[bario1]

No need to remove affected leaves on courgettes, powdery mildew is totally normal and inevitable on these. It will spoil the plant eventually, but hopefully not before it's had a long and productive season. Botrytis is something different, and needs to be controlled or it will spread very quickly.

[Bill HH]

My garden is unfortunately riddled with mildew, I cant grow outdoor cucumbers, squash, or courgettes and it also effects my roses. I have tried all the suggested cures and none seem to work. i think its because my garden is walled and perhaps doesnt get so much air movement. The only "cure" is to not grow things that get the disease. I manage to grow roses however because I can spray them against mildew wheras of course i cant spray vegetables. The funny thing is i don't (touch wood) get it in my greenhouse and cucumbers do very well as do tomatoes.

[Jonnyt]

Correct I think it is likely Botrytis. I guess next year I need less plants and more shading as I've left the door and roof vents open for ages now

[bario1]

Maybe next year we'll get some heat and light, and then mould won't be such a problem...

[vixylix]

Bario1 - I noticed last night that this is now starting on my cucmber leaves - is this normal too or should I remove the leaves?

Thanks

[bario1]

Normal - cucumbers and courgettes are all part of the same family. Once the leaves have totally had it you can take them off, but i'd leave them on for now. There probably are ways to control it, but I've never tried them if there are! Are your cucs outside?

[vixylix]

They are - they've been doing really well until now too!!

[bario1]

Hopefully they'll continue on for a while yet. You might want to look for a resistant variety next year - I grow a mildew resistant courgette called Defender, and that crops well into autumn.

[vixylix]

Awesome - will do that! Thanks Bario!