Powdery mildew solution and pet mantis

SmittenGarden · May 26, 2014

Ok well he (mantis) is not exactly a pet......more like a purposefully placed minion, pest mucher and keeper of my zucchini and for all the trouble and cost it took to raise him in the first place I would rather not kill him.

But my zucchini has what I beleive is lots of powder mildew modeling on the outer edges (top and bottom) of at least three leaves. The insecticide/powdery mildew store bought spray is obviously straight out. Milk and water did nothing last year but 1 thing did although I found it little two late last year.

I mixed two tablespoons potassium bicarbonate with two tablespoons sesame oil and a dash of Castile soap in 1 gallon of water and sprayed...this did kill the spots of mildew on the leaves last year but it had gotten way past the leaves....perhaps if I use it again and cut the mildew ones off I might win this year.....but I am unsure what it would do to the mantis and the aftermath of the oil was disgusting....

Does anyone have a better solution than using the oil? Or could I leave it out? And does anyone know if it will kill the mantis? He was a rather costly pest control investment.

he is one of the last three and I've sort of become attached to him.

May 26, 2014	#1
SmittenGarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: So California Posts: 75	Powdery mildew solution and pet mantis Ok well he (mantis) is not exactly a pet......more like a purposefully placed minion, pest mucher and keeper of my zucchini and for all the trouble and cost it took to raise him in the first place I would rather not kill him. But my zucchini has what I beleive is lots of powder mildew modeling on the outer edges (top and bottom) of at least three leaves. The insecticide/powdery mildew store bought spray is obviously straight out. Milk and water did nothing last year but 1 thing did although I found it little two late last year. I mixed two tablespoons potassium bicarbonate with two tablespoons sesame oil and a dash of Castile soap in 1 gallon of water and sprayed...this did kill the spots of mildew on the leaves last year but it had gotten way past the leaves....perhaps if I use it again and cut the mildew ones off I might win this year.....but I am unsure what it would do to the mantis and the aftermath of the oil was disgusting.... Does anyone have a better solution than using the oil? Or could I leave it out? And does anyone know if it will kill the mantis? He was a rather costly pest control investment. he is one of the last three and I've sort of become attached to him.