Removing Mildew From Plants

7/21/2020 (Permalink)

Plant mildew in Lochwood, TX

Removing Mildew From Plants

Because of a common misunderstanding, it has become popular for some to refer to mold that builds up on wet surfaces indoors as mildew. While mold and mildew can both be destructive to your property, mildew actually refers to a parasitic algal or fungal growth that occurs exclusively on plants. Plant mildew can interfere with photosynthesis and other essential life functions of plants, so you should remove it from any plants you wish to keep.

1. Identify the Type of Infection
The appropriate solution for plant mildew depends on whether the algae or fungus form, known as downy and powdery, respectively, are present on your greenery. Downy mildew is gray and occurs on lower leaves. The powdery form is white and forms on upper leaves. Always make sure that you use mildewcide that is designed for the type of mildew your plants have. Spray plants that have not been severely damaged.

2. Isolate Plants From Mildew Sources
Vegetation tends to collect mildew growth in humid environments. By moving a plant outside or dehumidifying an interior, you prevent further accumulation from occurring. If possible, you should expose your plants to direct sunlight. While dealing with mildew, always water from below so that moisture does not worsen your problem. Before proceeding to the next step, you should wash plants once, but make sure that they are properly dried afterwards.

3. Clip Affected Areas
Remove mildew by pruning seriously affected regions with disinfected clippers. If this process requires you to remove a large percentage of your plant's leaves or stems, your plant may not survive.
Moisture can wreak serious havoc on your home. While plant mildew is possible to deal with on your own, a mold infestation is a more serious matter for a homeowner. If you suspect you have a mold problem in your Lochwood, TX home, you should contact a professional experienced in mold remediation as soon as possible.