Powdery mildew is spread by spores that germinate and thrive on their host plants Stagnant air, humidity and warmth encourage mildews When plants are closely packed together, mildews can get a foothold and thrive

For lightly mildewed plants, you don’t need powdery mildew treatments Prune the affected leaves off, dispose of the leaves carefully so you don’t contaminate other plants Always sterilize your pruners to prevent spreading the spores

Provide air flow with the use of fans in greenhouses and homes Mildew thrives in stagnate, warm air Deter molds and mildews using air circulation A slightly open windows and vents work well in warm air conditions

Water the soil of all plants to prevent moisture accumulation on leaves Make sure you have well draining soil to prevent moisture and warmth buildup which encourages growth of spores

Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that encourage new foliage Powdery mildew is attracted to fresh young leaves

Sprays and chemical treatments are the last line of defense to kill or deter a mildew as they are not as effective as good plant management, pruning and some tolerance of powdery mildews on plants If you catch mildew early before it takes over the plant, homemade fungicides and store-bought sprays will keep mildew from spreading

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