Fungal attack- what kind of mildew is this???

[heirloomdaddy]

This looks like downy mildew to me....?

Am I correct? How should i handle this? This plant was thriving, but it seems like its getting hit pretty hard. New growth seems OK buts its definitely spreading. I read something in an older post by Carolyn mentioning that foliar mold can be pretty common during June gloom in CA. I'm in Los Angeles if that helps with the ID.....The mold looks more grey than white in person...not the best photos..flash seems to make it appear lighter.

thanks in advance,
matt

[RandyG]

It's the Oidium form of powdery mildew. UC Davis has information regarding this disease.

[graceshine]

I'm in Los Angeles and am experiencing the same exact thing!!! I've been cutting the leaves off and spraying with Serenade and it hasn't gotten too bad yet. Would love to find out what to do too.

[b54red]

You can try spraying with a mild Clorox solution. I've never had that on my tomatoes (kinda hard to beleive) but have had it on squash and cucumbers and the Clorox spray worked on them. If you decide to try it add 7 1/2 to 8 ounces of regular strength Clorox to a gallon of water, add a few drops of dishwashing detergent and spray the plant thoroughly very late in the day. You can try it on one or two and see what results you get. The infected leaves will wither and die after a couple of days but the healthy uninfected parts of the plant should show no ill effects. Do not spray when hot sunshine will be on the plants or you will get leaf burn.

[heirloomdaddy]

thanks guys.

Graceshine- it must be the overcast weather. I just brought an infected leaf to the nursery and they gave me Serenade. Is this not a solution??? I will try the clorox solution if this doesn't prove helpful.

matt

[RandyG]

Repeated application of Oxidate will control powdery mildew but may burn tomato leaves after a few applications.

[carolyn137]

My CA friends call it the June Gloom and both kinds of powdery mildew can show up.

I know you folks are mostly organic growers, so don't get all that bent out of shape if I share with you that Daconil is excellent.

[heirloomdaddy]

Thanks Carolyn

I will try to remain organic unless that doesn't cut it...in which case daconil it is. Can this infection take down the plant, or will it burn off when it dries up?

[graceshine]

I'm disappointed in Serenade right now, sad to say. Maybe it's preventing full blown disaster, but the dots are still appearing on new leaves on a daily basis.

Funny, because my garden guy said "mildew on tomato leaves is extremely rare" - yet people here seem to think it's normal with LA's June Gloom. Another guy at the store said "Earthboxes are stupid and are as gimmicky as hanging your tomatoes upside down" so I think I should take their input with a grain of salt.

Do you guys think Daconil will prevent spread better than Serenade?

[rnewste]

Grace,

For the past 3 years, I was hammered with the same condition. It appeared to come from my neighbor's Crepe Myrtle just upwind of my garden, where the Myrtle's leaves were covered with it.

Over the Winter, I was able to "minimize" the tree - - and so far this Season, not a speck of Powdery Mold on any of my 35 tomato plants. Was there a correlation by the Crepe Myrtle taking a permanent "dirt-nap" - - or was it coincidence,,,, One will never know....

I would alternate Daconil with Serenade, as a suggestion. Serenade helped contain it - but never eradicated it for me last Season.

Raybo

[Timmah!]

Lol Ray. Let's hope your neighbor doesn't take up tomato gardening & happen by. =D

[rnewste]

Timmah,

I feed my neighbor all the tomatoes he could ever want during the Summer, so frankly, there is no need for him to grow tomatoes.

That mold / mildew-filled Crepe Myrtle was taken out by a "Bangalore Torpedo" of my own home concoction. Stealth is the name of the game...

.....alias

[Talon1189]

Originally Posted by rnewste

Timmah,

I feed my neighbor all the tomatoes he could ever want during the Summer, so frankly, there is no need for him to grow tomatoes.

That mold / mildew-filled Crepe Myrtle was taken out by a "Bangalore Torpedo" of my own home concoction. Stealth is the name of the game...

.....alias

Sounds like a midnight attack of a "ninja" with a couple of gallons of Roundup to me >>>>>>>>>> Talon

[Timmah!]

Would've been a hoot to see Ray in stealth mode that night. =D

[rnewste]

...picture a robust Elephant clad only in black pajamas carrying a quart of "Getty Gas-A-Reene" (which promptly killed off the Powdery Mildew.... and also the Crepe Myrtle tree as well (unavoidable collateral damage)... NOT a pretty sight! (The "Elephant", I meant.....)

After spending $50.00 on Serenade reaching over the fence spraying THAT tree for weeks, I had little recourse on my final solution. Crap Myrtles all over the World - - forgive me....

Raybo