Mildew-doo

moldy gourd leaf

I was wandering through my garden searching for ripe fruit, pulling the occasional weed, tucking errant tomato vines in their cages, when I noticed that my birdhouse gourds have some sort of mildew. Oh poopie. On further inspection I noticed that the tomatillo plant next to it has this mildew also. I try to be organic and I don’t use sprays and chemicals. Does anybody have any idea on how to get rid of the mildew?

gourd flower

baby bird house gourds

I was thinking that maybe I should just rip out the tomatillo but it’s producing so much right now.

gourd leaves

I thought that if I took off some of the offending leaves it might help.

What’s a gardener to do?

baby bird house gourds

Comments

[Kathryn]

Baking soda and water with a drop of soap as sticking agent works to some degree. Here is a link for more info: ttp://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/bakingsoda.html
I believe it works as a fungicide because it changes the ph on the surface of the plant, thus inhibiting fungal growth.
Good Luck!

[chigiy]

Thank you Kathryn, I will try it.

[Annie in Austin]

I don't know if it works on vegetables, but our organic radio host recommended mixing some milk with water [1 part milk to 9 parts water] and spraying that on mildewed crepe myrtles or roses twice a week. It's supposed to kill the mold spores and make the plant healthier at the same time.

Chigiy, he also said it didn't matter whether the milk was skim, whole, etc.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

[Heather's Garden]

I echo Kathryn. I had powdery mildew on my sage and used a similar solution to kill it. I got a few brown leaves, but no return of the powdery mildew.

[Muum]

love the pic of the gourd flower, we grew this two years ago in the garden and I loved seeing those beautiful flowers. Are you going to do something with the gourds?

[chigiy]

Annie,
Are you sure about the milk thing? I don't want my gourds to get fat, or do I. Hmmmm.

Heather,
Thank you for the information.

Muum,
I plan to make birdhouses with the gourds, if they get big enough.

[Curtis]

I have heard about both baking soda and milk for this. Hope it turns out good.

[Aiyana]

If you lose the gourd plant, maybe you could use the tiny gourds for hummingbird houses. I know, bad joke!
Aiyana

[chigiy]

Curtis,
I haven't tried the remedy yet. It seems the mildew may be going away on it's own. Fingers crossed.

Aiyana,
Ha!
Maybe I could make bowls for my teenie tomatoes

[kate]

I've gone the baking soda route though I usually zap off the offending leaves. The milk treatment sounds intriguing ... kind of like spa day for the gourds.