Cucumbers most often suffer from powdery mildew. The fungal disease spreads so quickly that in just a few days all vegetable bushes can be affected. Experienced gardeners have their own simple but effective ways to combat this problem.
Milk serum
An effective folk remedy that quickly fights the disease and also blocks its further spread is whey. To prepare the solution, you need to prepare the following ingredients:
- clean water – 5 l;
- whey – 0.5 l;
- pharmaceutical ammonia – 25 ml.
Next you need to combine all the ingredients, and then mix the solution thoroughly. Ammonia helps reduce the level of acidity, which vegetables do not particularly like. In addition, alcohol contains elements that create an unfavorable environment for the development of powdery mildew. Before spraying, you need to remove all diseased leaves from the bushes.
Baking soda and soap
Another budget-friendly product that can protect a plant from disease and save the future harvest. The solution will require the following components:
- baking soda – 5 tbsp. l.;
- warm water – 8–10 l;
- soap – 50 g.
Laundry soap must first be crushed. This component will help the solution settle on the diseased foliage. Dissolve all the ingredients in water, and then process the vegetables. It is best to do this early in the morning.
Horsetail decoction
You can prepare a decoction based on horsetail, which destroys the disease. To prepare it you must proceed as follows:
- collect the grass and chop finely;
- fill it with water and then leave it for three days;
- after a while, boil for two hours;
- strain and dilute 1 to 1 with clean water.
Treat the plant with the resulting solution, as well as spill the soil next to it. Repeat the action in the morning and evening until powdery mildew is completely destroyed.
Mustard powder
Regular mustard powder is very effective in combating powdery mildew on vegetables, including cucumbers. It is enough to dilute 100 grams of the product in water (10 liters). Mix well and spray the resulting liquid onto the affected foliage. This should be done once a day for a week. After seven days, not a trace of the disease will remain.
Folk remedies designed to combat powdery mildew are good because they do not harm cucumbers, since they do not contain chemicals. In addition, solutions are prepared from improvised ingredients that are always on hand.
