Mildew problems

12 years ago

I first noticed the lilac having powdery mildew, then more recently I noticed the others, which I think is rusty spot. Correct me if I'm wrong. We had a very dry July/early August and it was all I could do to keep everything watered. All the plants were stressed. After that it rained and rained, plus it's been pretty cool. Could these factors make them more susceptible?

For the last 5 days I've been spraying the lilac with a mix of water, milk, baking soda and dish soap. It appears to be responding slightly. Can I use the same treatment on the rusty spot? I can buy something commercial too if needed. With fall coming is this a waste of time, or should I still treat to ward off in the spring? I'll try to keep the fallen leaves contained and burn them so they don't spread it. Anything else I should do?

Lilac

Dogwood

No idea what this is - it grows everywhere in the woods.

Maple in the woods. My other maples in the yard look okay.

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Comments (4)

jean001a
12 years ago
Stop with the lilac as it's almost time for it to lose its leaves. Instead of spraying it, substitute collect-and-discard the fallen leaves.

In fact, a general guide is that once a leaf spot/disease is widespread, sprays won't help. Instead switch over to sanitation: Collect-and-discard the fallen leaves.

The dogwood appears to have a leaf spot, a disease likely enabled by persistent water films on the leaves due to all the rain.

Your unknown plant also has a leaf spot.

And the maple appears to have tar spot. Too late to spray for that. Instead, collect-and-discard the fallen leaves.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
i am in adrian MI ..

stop all spraying ... it was 38 last week in adrian ... all leaves.. on every plant.. are looking like carp ... and 10% of the maples are already turning color ...

and dont go treating things in the woods ... let nature have its way .. i cant think of a single leaf issue.. that will harm a maple ...

and maybe you ought to look for a PM resistant lilac ... it is simply not worth treating them for PM .. i havent in 35 years ... we have good years.. and bad years ... so what ... if you cant stand it.. get rid of them ...

also... lilac is drought proof... no matter how ratty it gets... just dont wet its leaves in the evening ...

on some level.. you are babying your plants .. some need it.. i dont think these need anything .... ever ...

i wish you luck

ken
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SnailLover (MI - zone 5a)
Original Author
12 years ago
Okay, I'll stop spraying and gather the leaves. Thanks for the info. And Ken, I'm only concerned about the trees along the border that might spread to the garden plants. I only noticed this happening recently after all the rain. Suddenly everything does look like crap.
Kimmsr
12 years ago
An understanding of Powdery Mildew will help with control and the link below provides some very good information about these plant diseases.
While mixing two substances might seem to be good often it simply makes both less effective, or sometimes into a super plant killer. Milk sprays are effective, and Baking Soda sprays are effective, but together they do not control PM as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Powdery Mildew control