How to treat powdery mildew on peonies
POWDERY MILDEW? NO PROBLEM.
Powdery mildew is one of the few problems that can come with growing peonies. And if you’re a gardener, chances are you’ve seen it on some plant or another. Phlox, roses, dahlias, zucchini or even pumpkins!
The bad news is that it’s ugly and can prevent your beauties from blooming. But the good news is powdery mildew doesn’t leave lasting damage to the overall health of your plant.
Below are a few remedies and recipes for your peonies or anywhere else you spot powdery mildew.
The questions about powdery mildew have started to pour in so this email is a timely reminder for what to do about it.
WHAT IS POWDERY MILDEW?
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects many plants, including peonies. It appears as a white or gray powdery coating on the leaves, stems, and flowers of plants. The fungus typically thrives in warm, humid environments and can spread quickly in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.
While it won’t kill your plants, Peonies that are infected with powdery mildew may experience stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and decreased flower production. If left untreated, the disease can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to other infections. It can also spread to other plants within your garden.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY PEONIES HAVE POWDERY MILDEW?
To prevent powdery mildew, it is important to maintain good air circulation around the plant and to water it at the base rather than from above. Fungicides and home remedies can also be used to control the disease.
Firstly, prevention is key. Ensure that your peonies are planted in well-draining soil and receive adequate sunlight and air circulation. Avoid overhead watering and instead water at the base of the plant.
If you do notice powdery mildew, act quickly. Remove and dispose of any infected plant material. Do not compost. Sanitize your tools.
To treat the remaining plant, you can use a copper fungicide approved for organic gardening. You can find this at most home improvement stores, garden centers and hardware stores. We also sell some in our shop on the farm.
As a home remedy. you can also use a mixture of baking soda and water (1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 gallon of water) and spray it on the affected areas. Another option is a solution of whole milk and water (1 part whole milk to 9 parts water) which can be sprayed on the plant. These are also friendlier to pollinators than the copper solution but likely won’t help with a plant that is more heavily covered with the mildew.
These organic methods are effective in tackling powdery mildew on peonies, and can be used anywhere peonies grow. The same methods can be used on any other plants that have powdery mildew.
Thank you for choosing our farm for your peony needs, and please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.