Common crops affected
What is powdery mildew?
Powdery mildew is caused by fungi in the order Erysiphales. It grows on the surface of leaves, stems and fruit, sending feeding structures into the outer cells. The white "powder" is a mass of fungal threads and spores. Left unchecked it reduces photosynthesis, distorts new growth, and lowers yield and quality.
How to identify powdery mildew
- White powdery patches on the upper surfaces of leaves, spreading to stems, buds and fruit
- Yellowing and distortion of affected leaves; new growth stunted or curled
- Premature leaf drop and, on fruit crops such as grapes, russeting, cracking or reduced quality
Conditions that spread it
Powdery mildew is unusual: it does not need leaf wetness to infect, and heavy rain can wash spores away. It favours warm days, cool nights, high humidity around dense canopies, and shade — which is why it flourishes in greenhouses and crowded plantings. Airflow, canopy management and avoiding excess nitrogen reduce pressure, but once it appears active control is needed.
Controlling powdery mildew naturally
Because powdery mildew grows on the plant surface, it is well suited to control by nature-derived, contact-acting fungicides — provided coverage is thorough and applications are timed to pressure. Rotating away from single-site synthetic chemistry matters, as powdery mildew develops resistance readily.
Recommended Vegalab solution: Mildew Control
Vegalab Mildew Control is a geraniol-based fungicide built on the nano-encapsulation platform. The capsule adheres to the canopy and resists wash-off, then releases its active on contact — making it rainfast and friendly to resistance management, with zero pre-harvest and zero re-entry interval. For broader spore-borne disease, Spore Control provides encapsulated adherent cover targeting spore germination and early infection. OMRI-listed options are available. Results vary by crop, region and disease pressure; claims and availability vary by jurisdiction — always read and follow the applicable product label.
| Role | Product | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Primary control | Mildew Control | Geraniol fungicide for mildews |
| Companion / broader pressure | Spore Control | Broad-spectrum protective fungicide |
| Plant support | Armour Boost | Silica for tissue resilience |
Claims and product availability vary by jurisdiction. Always read and follow the product label.