Tending Cucumbers: Identifying and Treating White Powdery Mildew with Baking Soda

This video will show you how to identify powdery mildew and treat it with baking soda. My cucumbers have powdery mildew. It comes every August. It looks like white powder and will cover both sides of the leaves and kill them out.

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[CaliKim]

Hi Gary - I always have a problem with powdery mildew. Just tried a baking soda spray and will be spraying regularly from now on. Thanks for sharing your gardening knowledge with us!

[FrostPlutarc]

I just saw this on my surviving Cucumber plants. I remembered you made a video on this. I did not bother to Google it. Came straight to your channel and searched Mildew. Once more thank you! I used my new Solo 419 for the job.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

A good sprayer is essential just for that reason. I am going to build a cucumber plot with very high trellising wire, just to be able to spray the undersides more easily. My next year project.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Its a good treatment. When plants are healthy 1 tablespoon is a good preventative. When the powder arrives, depending on problem, 1-2 tablespoons works. I recommend making a 2 tablespoon batch and testing a leaf or two of your plants when they are HEALTHY. You looking to see if they burn. Different plants act differently and you would notice leaf damage within 48 hours.

[sebbes]

I think you can get a better result if you mix the soap & baking soda, because the soap breaks the waters surface tension & both cucumber leaves & powdery mildew is fairly water repelling, but without surface tension the water sticks better to both.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Soapy spray I use about tablespoon in a gallon. However, it wont help powdery mildew. If you have the white powdery looking stuff on leaves... baking soda works. 1 or 2 tables of baking soda per gallon sprayed on tops and bottoms of leaves is very effective. Yes wettable sulfur is another way to treat powdery mildew. Baking soda works by lowering the PH on the leaf. Wettable sulpher works by raising the PH on the leaf. Either way the mildew doesnt like the PH change.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

I hope it helps. Please test spray a bunch of leaves first and wait 24-48 hours. It is a good way to make sure and new sprays dont damage your leaves.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

yes zukes and squash can handle the baking soda. Don't forget to get under the leaves too.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

I would. Its a good first round solution.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

I was thinking about you loss again last night. Even with the right mix, they still burned. I am going to add large text boxes on my spray videos to test spray. I bet the plant variety plays a role in sensitivity. I would plant new seeds right next to the damaged plants. Let them grow. If you dont need them, you dont need them.

Most likely new plants will grow quickly... Now downy mildew can also be going on. You get yellow diamondish patterns and the leaf browns out fast.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Not for baking soda or soapy spray. Other sprays perhaps. It is also best to spray in the morning or late afternoon.

[conniesullivan]

This was a very helpful video! I’m going to give it a try and see if I can save you poor darlings.

[kiney]

Thank you... I have both the mildew and cucumber beetles. Hoping this will help...

[FrostPlutarc]

Oh really, thank you for alerting me. Now I'm really glad I spent extra for the Solo cause I can spray the under leaves while holding the sprayer straight/upright. Later!

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

And a solution to treating the mildew is needed that wont damage your plants. Maybe the milk mixture?

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

What was the time from spraying to death of your plant. How many days. Burn should show up in like 2 days.

[lindajoe]

Thank put one lemon cucumber in the greenhouse...I just found this powdery stuff on the leaves. I'll try the baking soda but if keeps on... I'll move it outside😁. Other veggies in the greenhouse are fine.

[asayero]

you should try mixing the soap and the baking soda into one mix. Soap acts as a wetting agent and will help keep the baking soda on the leaf.

[rainbowsalads]

i have powder like this on my 1 year old apple trees, shall try the baking soda, thanks.

[sandraplesa]

What kind if soap do you use for soapy water, Can I use dish washing liquid?