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Powdery Mildew on catnip indoors, HELP!
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Posted by blackeyedgurl SE WI (My Page) on Mon, Oct 26, 09 at 13:56
| I brought my catnip plant indoors for the winter so my cats will have a steady supply all winter. After battling aphids all summer (finally gone), I am now confronted once again with Powdery Mildew!
Last year when I was in a much damper apartment I encountered the same thing. The catnip came in and within a few weeks the leaves were starting to spot. This apartment is considerably warmer and drier, and still PM! (it is a different pot and gorwing media, so I don't think it is related to last year's issue).
I just noticed it last night, and cut off the most severly affected parts. The plant is small and is definately in a fragile way right now. I don't want to cut too much off, hence killing it.
Is there a food safe (animal safe) way to treat this plant to get rid of this?? Last year I had the genius thoguht to spray the plant with diluted vinegar (it kills other mildews!), and the plant croaked and my cats were none too happy!
Info: Apt is roughly 65 degrees (warmer during the day). Nip is in a West window, living with an orchid and a spider plant (neither of which are PMed). Plant is only watered when dry and is rarely fertilized.
I do have Physan 20 which I could use to treat the plant if I needed to (and I believe this is safe).
Thank you so much for your help!!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Powdery Mildew on catnip indoors, HELP!
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I've never had PM on my catnip, but I used diluted milk on the PM that was on my zucchini and cucumbers this year. It did slow it down, but didn't stop it completely. Could you post a picture of your plant? I have two pots of catnip that I brought in for my cats. They have smaller leaves now due to less light, are sitting next to a small lamp with a compact flo bulb, and I have chicken wire cages wrapped around them to keep the cats from eating them down to the nubbin'. They keep the plants trimmed down to the cage. The plants also get 'very' dry between waterings, and we keep the apartment at least 70 degrees most of the time.
Do you have catnip seeds? I would start some new plants in new medium asap for back-up in case the current one succumbs to the PM. HTH |
RE: Powdery Mildew on catnip indoors, HELP!
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| Chamomile tea is a specific for treating powdery mildew. Just spray it on. If weather/climate permits, take it outside in the fresh air and sunlight for a while. |
RE: Powdery Mildew on catnip indoors, HELP!
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| noinwi: I'll try to post a plant when I can. The plant I think is over potted so it is having difficulties drying out. I am probably going to repot it in a smaller pot. The plant was huge until the great aphid invasion of 2009! I will probably also start some new seeds in a new pot in a different room. daisyduckworth: I am totally going to try the chamomile tea, you aren't the first place I've seen it suggested. Plus its easy and I know that's safe cos I use it to clean out my cats ears and when they get cuts! Thanks for the help guys! |
RE: Powdery Mildew on catnip indoors, HELP!
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| Daisy, I had a "duh!" moment when I read your post! I always use chamomile tea to prevent damping-off of my seedlings, but never thought to use it for PM on older plants. Thank you!! |
RE: Powdery Mildew on catnip indoors, HELP!
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| Another good remedy is 1 teaspoon each of Murphy's Oil Soap and baking soda in a quart spray bottle of water. Works great for PM on cukes and such, too. |
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