skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Powdery mildew or variegated leaf pattern?

Laura at Rather Square

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

This is my golden zucchini plant. I've been removing leaves like this assuming it's powdery mildew - however, now I'm wondering if it's just a normal leaf pattern. Reasons I'm questioning powdery mildew:

A) it doesn't rub off

B) it's on brand new leaves, almost instantly

C) it's next to another zucchini plant (different variety) and that one does NOT have powdery mildew, even though the leaves of the two are so close they are touching.

What do y'all think?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
When powdery mildew is rubbed, much of it rubs off. If it doesn't rub off, it's not powdery mildew. Powdery mildew spreads. Variegated patterns don't. Variegated patterns mostly follow the veins. Much as what I see here. Powdery mildew is in splotches.
Laura at Rather Square thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
4 years ago
Those are natural markings. Do what Dan says and you’ll find they don’t rub off. One other tip. Mildew smells mushroomy if you get your nose up close.
Related Professionals
Saint Joseph Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Raleigh Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Middletown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Coldwater Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Jamestown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Flagstaff Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Redding Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · McComb Landscape Contractors · Sheboygan Landscape Contractors · York Landscape Contractors · Elizabeth City Accessory Dwelling Units · Austin Accessory Dwelling Units · Tucson Accessory Dwelling Units · Lewiston Accessory Dwelling Units · Pullman Accessory Dwelling Units
CA Kate z9
4 years ago
Mine all look like this. I'm pretty sure it's just varigation.
Laura at Rather Square
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks all! I'm relieved. Haven't grown Golden before so didn't know it had these types of leaves. I had powdery mildew on my zucchini last year but it was much later in the season, so this was stumping me. I'll leaf (ha) it alone then.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Bromeliads: The Ultimate Collector’s Plants

By Steve Asbell

Once you discover bromeliads’ exotic beauty, wide-ranging colors and intriguing patterns, you’ll never go back

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Shade-Loving Plants With Showy Flowers or Foliage

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

These all-star perennials bring bright colors and bold textures to beds ranging from partial shade to full shade

EDIBLE GARDENS Herb Garden Essentials: Discover Delicate Chervil

By Marianne Lipanovich

Go beyond the tried-and-true edible herbs and try this nonconformist that's surprisingly easy to grow

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Columbine Grows Happily in Shade and Sun

By Paintbox Garden

Its ethereal beauty comes from complex forms and wide-ranging colors, but columbine’s benefits are highly attractive too

FLOORS 5 Benefits to Concrete Floors for Everyday Living

Get low-maintenance home flooring that creates high impact and works with home styles from traditional to modern

CALIFORNIA GARDENING California Gardener’s July Checklist

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

This month, you’ll find delicious stone fruit to taste, veggies and berries to harvest, and an easy way to save water

GARDENING GUIDES Plant Native Annual Flowers for a Garden Surprise Every Year

By Curtis Adams

These 15 well-adapted native annuals can add spontaneity to gardens around the country

GARDENING GUIDES What Kind of Roses Should You Grow?

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want to add the beauty of roses to your garden? Find out which ones, from old-fashioned to modern, are right for you

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Give Your Garden More Soul

Feel more at home in your garden by giving it deep, personal meaning

CONTAINER GARDENS 5 Houseplants That Thrive in Full Sun

By Marianne Lipanovich

Place these sun lovers in south-facing windows

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Unhealthy looking growth on garlic

2

Spaghetti squash fruits, dark green?

2

Picking tomatoes just starting to turn red?

7

Anyone here ever had root aphids?

9

Wish I hadn't been so smug

9