Your comments and tips

03 Jan 17, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)

Sometimes early female flowers don't set as they haven't been pollinated. It could also be water stress but I rather think the first. Give them a bit of time and they should settle down.

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28 Apr 17, Shane hull (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

powdery mildew don't like alkaline environment. Milk is alkaline

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29 Dec 16, Heather Price (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi My Zucchinni plans have a white covering over the leaf does this affect the plant.dio l need to treat it , if so what would l treat the leaf iwith

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31 Dec 16, Yen (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi! I have the same thing in my garden I read about this treatment for white powdered mildew and it worked for me! Mix 1 teaspoon bicarbonate with 1 pint of water and water leaves that are affected. Hope it helps

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03 Jan 17, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)

A 10% solution of milk and water also helps with powdery mildew. It is used organically, how it works, I don't know, but it does.

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22 Dec 16, Melvyn Andrews (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

For the last three years I have failed in growing tomatoes. Despite spraying with recommended spray the worms/grubs get them. Last year I got one good one out of about 2 Kg. So this next year I am going to try Eggplant and Zucchini. Am I too late to plant now? What type of decease do they attract? If so,what can i do? Thanks from Sydney

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23 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)

The grubs attacking your tomatoes will be fruit fly. They attack any fruit, including citrus. you could completely cover your plants with flywire or tuille netting

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24 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Eggplant are probably also susceptible to fruit fly so cover them as you would tomatoes. I've not heard of fruit fly on zucchinis and they are heavy yielders of versatile fruit so they may be a good option. Trust this helps.

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21 Dec 16, Dianne Lovell (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Any benefit in removing the lower grown leaves. The thing is a triphid

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02 Feb 17, Karen (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

I agree with John. For powdery mildew prevention and control I use a brew of 3tablespoons of baking (bicarb) soda, 1/2 teaspoon non detergent dish soap to 6litre of water. The soda changes the ph and destroys the spores, soap acts as sticking agent. MUST test spay, leave 24-48hrs observe for chemical damage. May need less soda. Do not add anything to brew like fertiliser or neem oil, as this will change the ph and the brew will either become ineffective or cause damage. When ok with mix, spray everything (plant, container, soil, stakes etc) all over. Give sprayer a good shake prior and during application. Don't pour leftover brew into soil - ph change can cause growth problems of young plants. I do this weekly from planting out regardless of need; this minimises powdery mildew starting up. My cucs, courgettes and toms get this treatment but the amount of soda required may vary. I keep a note of the brew(s) and results for future reference. Best done in the evening so it has time to do its thing overnight without the risk of sunburn. Make a fresh batch of brew for each spray session. Remove some additional leaves to enable good ventilation throughout plant. What variety of triphid are you growing?

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