edited... i hope things are going ok with your girls and also that you have got the problem under control before it gets out of hand. i was also wondering where the reply went from someone else telling me i didnt know my a$$ from a hole in the ground???? i am surprised that such a reply was removed since the person obviously had the parts to put it up in the first place. put it back man, i enjoyed it..... anyways, relentless, i wish you the best and i am sorry for interfering in your thread like this. happy growing and even better smoking!
Prevention
Powdery mildew is favored by dry atmospheric and growing conditions, moderate temperature, reduced light intensity, good nutrition and succulent plant growth. For this reason it can be a problem in protected growing areas such as greenhouses and indoor grow rooms on a year round scale. All mildew spores are spread via wind of air movement, and certain insects can also carry the disease. Unlike other fungal diseases, such as downy mildew, the powdery mildew spores don’t require a film of water to be present on the leaf surface to germinate and infect the plan tissue. Powdery mildew spores germinate best in a temperature range of around 72- 88F and in shaded areas of the crop, so it is more severe in closely planted crops. If the spores entering a new grow area make contact with a plant under conditions of reduced light intensity, a temperature of 72-88 F and absence of moisture then germination will occur within two hours, and infection will be two days later.
Cultural Control
With downy mildew which requires moisture (relative humidity of at least 95%) to develop, keeping the plants dry and the growing area well ventilated when conditions are cool will help prevent the disease. Since powdery mildew can infect the crop under dry conditions, it is more important to select resistant varieties, and make sure plants are well spaced. Often a major source of mildew infection can be from plants growers buy in from a nursery – these should be carefully checked for mildew and treated before they enter the greenhouse. Between crops, all surfaces of the growing area, beds and gullies should be disinfected with a strong bleach solution or with an anti-mildew fungicide to prevent the carry over of disease to the next crop.
Chemical Control
Researchers have found that powdery mildew fungus is vulnerable to sulfur. Sulfur works by ‘selective toxicity’ that is, it is more toxic to the parasite than to the host. Sulfur should not be applied to cantaloupes because they are sulfur sensitive. Cucumbers are somewhat sensitive to sulfur, gourds, pumpkins, squashes, watermelons and most other plant species are sulfur –tolerant. New on the market to combat sulfur is the “sulfur evaporator”. This item uses sulfur pellets which are evaporated with the heating element found inside the sulfur evaporator. Many rose and cucumber growers achieve control or prevention of mildew disease with application of silica based dusts or sprays. Silica gives a protective coat over the leaf surface and thus prevents the mildew spores from germinating and infecting the plant tissue. Sulfur sprays and dusts are also used, Special not: Don not use Sulfur 2 weeks before harvest on most fruit bearing plants. Sulfur can leave a residue on the fruit, making the fruit taste undesireable. For the control of downy mildew, copper compounds are effective. Use only approved products by your local department of agriculture.
Sulphur Burners - Your Best line of Defence against Powdery Mildew
Intended for greenhouse use, the sulphur evaporator is a great method for combating powdery mildew in the greenhouse or hobby greenhouse setting. They work on the principal of heating up and melting of rock sulphur, powder or flowers of sulphur at an ideal temperature that will completely and cleanly evaporate the sulphur without residue. Sulphur has been used for centuries for natural fungus and mildew control. Eadh sulphur evaporator will treat a 2600-3600 square feet. It is suggested that the sulphur evaporator be used as a preventative measure and should be used for half an hour each day or until tip burn is experienced-then reduce time. For example, if the sulphur evaporator is on for 10 minutes a day and tip burn is experienced then reduce time to 7-8 minutes or until tip burn does not occur.
sorry man, that is what i meant to say......:48:
