[GetOutCat]

Hello all,

My courgette leaves have gone very mouldy on some plants. I'm careful not to water the plants, but it seems to be worsened by the wet weather. It happened last year too which was soggy.

They're in pots and producing courgettes for now, but at this rate the worst affected will be leafless soon enough - see pic:



Any thoughts?

thanks,
GOC

[AdrianH]

I have the same problem on a couple of my courgette plants. I presume it is mildew due to the humid weather we've had lately. I've tried spraying with a milky/water solution, but it doesn't seem to have done much to help.

[compostqueen]

when you grow in pots it's tempting to water from the top. If you stood them in water it might be a better plan, let them suck up water for 10 mins and then take them out and let them drain.

You can spray the leaves with milk and water which is said to get rid of it. I've tried it on my indoor cucumbers which seemed to get mildew from the off. Increased ventilation is a good plan too

I think off the top of my head the milk to water ratio is 1 part milk to 9 parts water. Mix it up in a hand held sprayer and away you go  

[gobs]

Also make sure the root run is not dry and as with most sprays - depending on weather - they forever need re-applying. But then it rarely gets devastating in courgettes.

[GetOutCat]

Thanks for the replies. I think this one is beyond saving but will give it a go with the milky spray.

I'll also try soaking the pots next time but with all the rain the leaves will still be wet.

[fivespud364]

Im afraid with this wet humid weather powdery mildew is going to be rife try removing the very worst leaves before spraying they will sprout new ones fortunately mildew though unsightly does not stop them from cropping although obviously they wont do as well as healthy plants

[cooperman]

may sound daft - but why are you growing in pots? I assume you have no garden space or summat like that?

[GetOutCat]

Yes, have a small garden, mostly paved, steadily expanding the borders to grow more, but I do some things in tomato pots.

I got one courgette in the ground too this year and it's about 3 times as big as the biggest potted one, so I'll just have to keep pulling up flags when our lass isn't looking.