powdery mildew
Using a fungicide as a preventative on plants known to be strongly susceptible is wise. No need to use harsh, toxic chemicals either. A rounded teaspoon of baking soda in a gallon of water kills the spores on contact. It doesn't protect the plant very long, but does a nice job killing the spores before they attach and start feeding on the plant. Done regularly (1x/week)this is often enough for fungal disease free plants. Adding a lightweight horticultural oil like neem oil (add according to label instructions or 1 ounce per gallon if no instructions) helps in that the oil coats the leaves and reduces the attachment sites for fungal spores. This too is most effective applied once per week or after a heavy rain (it washes off).
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White spots on the top of the leaves, IF FUZZIE, is powdery Mildew, that is curable with a Backing Soda and water mix.
FUZZIE white spots UNDER the leaves, and showing through to the top is DOWNY MILDEW, Go to your garden center and get a FUNGICIDE rated for downy Mildew.
White spots with NO fuzz, no webbing, just white spots...
It means that your plants are not used to being in that much sun on your deck,and they are freaking out, as their leaves and flowers bleach white in the NEW SUN! at least to them this bright sun is NEW!
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~ A lot of people commonly use dishwashing liquid to make homemade insecticidal soap spray, but some dishwashing liquids contain a lot of perfumes, dyes and degreasers that can be harmful to plants. However I have used Dawn dishwashing liquid on plants for years and have never had a problem. Choose a dishwashing liquid that does not have all the perfumes and dyes if you can.
Be sure to rinse the plant thoroughly after spraying the plant with or dipping the plant in soapy water. Never leave soapy water to dry on a plant. Also never use any kind of liquid hand-soap, such as Softsoap, on plants.
To make a homemade soap spray, add several drops of dishwashing liquid to a spray bottle filled with distilled water. You can fill a large, deep container with soapy water or fill a sink with soapy water to make an insecticidal soap dip. Making insecticidal soap as a dip is especially helpful for soft leafed plants, such as African Violets and for small dense plants.
The drawback to insecticidal soap sprays is there is no lasting effect and you may have to repeat treatment several times.
To be effective, all leaf surfaces, especially the underside, needs to be wetted thoroughly with the insecticidal soap.
~ Of the commercial chemical pesticides, the one being used most these days is products containing Imidacloprid. Imidacloprid is not as toxic as most traditional pesticides and just as effective. However, it is still a toxic pesticide.
Pesticide products made with Neem oil are effective on most insects, including Spider Mites, and a lot less toxic than other chemical pesticides. Neem oil also has anti-fungal benefits, which is why most ' 3 in 1' products are made with neem oil. Neem oil is safe to use on most plants.
No matter what type of spray pesticide you use, always spray a ' test leaf' before spraying the entire plant with any pesticide product. Wait at least 24 hours then check the test leaf, if there is no damage to the test leaf then continue to treat the rest of the plant.
~ A systemic insecticide is a insecticide that works by getting absorbed into the plant and distributed throughout all parts the plant. When an insect feeds on the plant it is poisoned. Systemic insecticides are especially good for severe infestations or reoccurring insect problems. There are two forms of systemic insecticides, one is a granule that gets mixed into the soil and is taken up into the plant by the roots. This form of systemic takes time to take effect, often 5-10 days. The other form is spray systemics. This form of systemic is sprayed onto the plant's leaves and is absorbed into the plant. This form works like a spray insecticide, killing insects on contact, then works as a systemic for lasting control.
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White spots on the top of the leaves, IF FUZZIE, is powdery Mildew, that is curable with a Backing Soda and water mix.
FUZZIE white spots UNDER the leaves, and showing through to the top is DOWNY MILDEW, Go to your garden center and get a FUNGICIDE rated for downy Mildew.
White spots with NO fuzz, no webbing, just white spots...
It means that your plants are not used to being in that much sun on your deck,and they are freaking out, as their leaves and flowers bleach white in the NEW SUN! at least to them this bright sun is NEW!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ A lot of people commonly use dishwashing liquid to make homemade insecticidal soap spray, but some dishwashing liquids contain a lot of perfumes, dyes and degreasers that can be harmful to plants. However I have used Dawn dishwashing liquid on plants for years and have never had a problem. Choose a dishwashing liquid that does not have all the perfumes and dyes if you can.
Be sure to rinse the plant thoroughly after spraying the plant with or dipping the plant in soapy water. Never leave soapy water to dry on a plant. Also never use any kind of liquid hand-soap, such as Softsoap, on plants.
To make a homemade soap spray, add several drops of dishwashing liquid to a spray bottle filled with distilled water. You can fill a large, deep container with soapy water or fill a sink with soapy water to make an insecticidal soap dip. Making insecticidal soap as a dip is especially helpful for soft leafed plants, such as African Violets and for small dense plants.
The drawback to insecticidal soap sprays is there is no lasting effect and you may have to repeat treatment several times.
To be effective, all leaf surfaces, especially the underside, needs to be wetted thoroughly with the insecticidal soap.
~ Of the commercial chemical pesticides, the one being used most these days is products containing Imidacloprid. Imidacloprid is not as toxic as most traditional pesticides and just as effective. However, it is still a toxic pesticide.
Pesticide products made with Neem oil are effective on most insects, including Spider Mites, and a lot less toxic than other chemical pesticides. Neem oil also has anti-fungal benefits, which is why most ' 3 in 1' products are made with neem oil. Neem oil is safe to use on most plants.
No matter what type of spray pesticide you use, always spray a ' test leaf' before spraying the entire plant with any pesticide product. Wait at least 24 hours then check the test leaf, if there is no damage to the test leaf then continue to treat the rest of the plant.
~ A systemic insecticide is a insecticide that works by getting absorbed into the plant and distributed throughout all parts the plant. When an insect feeds on the plant it is poisoned. Systemic insecticides are especially good for severe infestations or reoccurring insect problems. There are two forms of systemic insecticides, one is a granule that gets mixed into the soil and is taken up into the plant by the roots. This form of systemic takes time to take effect, often 5-10 days. The other form is spray systemics. This form of systemic is sprayed onto the plant's leaves and is absorbed into the plant. This form works like a spray insecticide, killing insects on contact, then works as a systemic for lasting control.