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Problems with Zucchini
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gardenerliz
Just Arrived
Joined: 11 Jul 2008
Location: Phoenixville, PA
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:22 pm Post subject: Problems with Zucchini |
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Hi.
This is my first time growing zucchini in containers. There are lots of male flowers blooming but I noticed they are affected by powdery mildew. What can I use to get rid of it? Also they aren't too big either. I've cut away the yellow leaves & some of the leaves that had the mildew on it. I've been using an organic fertilizer. Not sure what else to do but hope I'll get at least one zucchini. I have like 4 plants.
Any advice will be appreciated!
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Sjoerd
Enlightened One
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Location: West - Friesland
Posts: 2532
PlantStew: 93 |
| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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I use a mixture of milk and water and spray I spray the entire plant--stems and leaves (upper+under sides)once a week (unless it gets rained-off).
I make a concoction using one part skim milk and 8 parts rain water. (I'm not sure if tap water would be ok to use or not. I do not know of any reason why it would not also work).
If you could get fresh milk from a farmer, that would be better. It isn't possible for most gardners though.
I mention this because a number of tests have been done with fresh milk.
Do not be tempted to increase the mixing percentages because it has not been shown that it actually helps...and in fact with mixtures greater than 3-4 parts milk to 7-6 parts water, a fungus can begin to grow.
Synthetic fungicides such as fenarimol or benomyl can also be used.
The organism that causes the "Powdery Mildew" colonization is Sphaerotheca fuliginea> . This fungus seems to have a special affinity to the cucurbit family, although it can occur on the leaves of other plants as well.
The milk+water solution may not totally eradicate the mildew, but it will keep it down to a managable level...that means approximately 90% eradication.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
_________________
Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
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lexxivexx
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 05 Aug 2007
Location: The Willamette Valley, Oregon (Map)
Posts: 258
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:07 am Post subject: |
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I used one teaspoon of baking soda in a 32oz spray bottle and doused my Rosemary twice a week for a month. That got rid of the mildew, but the needles did get a bit crispy for a while. Maybe squash leaves are too tender for that.
I did some container zukes last year, I would stop fertilizing them. They won't need it in any potting soil and end up having blossom end rot from all the nitrogen. How often do you water and is there good drainage in the container? I suspect they seem stunted because of the mildew, not due to lack of nutrients- squash plants don't need much.
My plants behaved in a very similar way until they suddenly got huge and put out many fruits, all with blossom end rot. I did a ghetto calcium fix by crushing up two tums antacids in the watering can twice a week. I finally got some good fruit at the end of the season.
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Rock and Roll Veggies!
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bailey
On The Way Up
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Location: south east texas
Posts: 94
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:27 am Post subject: |
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I also use the milk and water remedy that Sjoerd does
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Sjoerd
Enlightened One
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Location: West - Friesland
Posts: 2532
PlantStew: 93 |
| Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:21 am Post subject: |
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I would just like to add one thing, gardenerliz: If you currently have mildew... you should begin treatment immediately.
The sooner you begin combatting the mildew, the better your result will be.
If the mildew is confined to the male flowers only, just remove them...stem and all. Don't worry, the plant will produce more.
Also do not throw the mildewd plant parts on your compost heap. Separate them. Burn them, or at the minimum, put them in with your household garbage to be taken away.
I have read study results that varify this.
_________________
Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
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