Common Diseases: Powdery mildew

Biology

White powdery growth on the surface of leaves and sometimes stems is characteristic of this easily diagnosed fungal disease. Young leaves and shoots may be stunted and distorted. Severe infections can cause leaf drop and death of young shoots. Some powdery mildew pathogens attack many different plant species, but others are specific to a limited host range. Unlike most fungal pathogens, powdery mildew fungi do not require surface moisture for infection, so this disease is often most prevalent during dry weather.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Avoid overfertilizing, which encourages susceptible new growth. If necessary, switch to a slow-release or lower-nitrogen formula.
• Gather and destroy all fallen leaves.
• Pick off infected leaves and prune severely infected shoots to prevent spread of disease.
• Plant disease-tolerant or disease-resistant varieties (see lists in PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook).
• Space plantings and prune to provide good air circulation.
• Watch for signs of infection during appropriate weather conditions (dry weather with warm days and cool nights).

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

Several fungicides are effective in managing powdery mildew. However, the fungicide must be registered for the host plant. Find the list of registered pesticides for a specific host by finding the fact sheet for powdery mildew on that host. Since the fungus is limited to growing on the surface, fungicide applications after disease is visible can be effective in eradicating the problem.

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