There are a few options to try when trying a homemade cure for powdery mildew. One powdery mildew organic remedy is to use dilute solutions of hydrogen peroxide (9 parts water to 1 part hydrogen peroxide). Spray it on the plants thoroughly about once a week.
Here's how: The chemical kills the bacteria that causes root rot in plants. It also breaks down into the soil and releases extra oxygen that helps the plant grow new, healthy roots. Before you use hydrogen peroxide on your plants, you'll need to dilute it.
Use a natural anti-fungal in the soil of your houseplants –
Cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, and baking soda are all excellent natural antifungal choices.
Vinegar is a proven method for destroying mold and eliminating pesky white spots from your plants. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a quart of water, and spray onto your infected leaves and stems. Repeat every few days until all traces of mold are gone.
Spray your plants' foliage once per week if you're using hydrogen peroxide as a preventive. If your garden already has bugs, you may need to use hydrogen peroxide two or three times per week to get rid of them. You should also apply the spray after it rains, as the showers will wash off any spray you have applied.
Hydrogen peroxide, well known as an ingredient in disinfectant products, is now also approved for controlling microbial pests on crops growing indoors and outdoors, and on certain crops after harvest. This active ingredient prevents and controls bacteria and fungi that cause serious plant diseases.
Treat the soil.
Use 1-2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide per cup of water, and mix enough to saturate the entire root ball. Mix well, then apply to the soil. Hydrogen peroxide is root safe though it can look a little scary, because it will begin to bubble up when poured in. This is normal!
Mix one pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide into a gallon of water. Water the entire plant, soaking the roots thoroughly, once every week. This oxygenates the root area, promoting development during any stage of the plant's life.
Regular 3% hydrogen peroxide is effective at killing surface mold, and only needs to be sprayed on and left for 10 minutes or until it stops fizzing.
Another popular method for growers dealing with powdery mildew in their gardens is using hydrogen peroxide. One tablespoon blended with a gallon of water makes an effective solution to be sprayed onto your crops.
As with all things H202, the amount and concentration of peroxide you use matters. The right amount will benefit your plants, and too much will harm them or even kill them.
When using hydrogen peroxide for plants, the solution is generally diluted, making it safe for roots. To make a safe hydrogen peroxide mixture, start by mixing 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 9 parts water. Next, soak the roots in the solution for 30 minutes.
Combine one tablespoon baking soda and one-half teaspoon of liquid, non-detergent soap with one gallon of water, and spray the mixture liberally on the plants. Mouthwash. The mouthwash you may use on a daily basis for killing the germs in your mouth can also be effective at killing powdery mildew spores.
There's no need to throw out your houseplant if you notice mold on the soil. Simply remove the moldy patches and apply cinnamon as a natural fungicide, or replace all of the soil with fresh soil if you desire.
Remove infected flowers, leaves and stems. Infected plant parts should be buried or composted. Many flowering plants can recover from gray mold when warm, dry conditions return.
However, it is the anti-fungal property that is the most important, making cinnamon effective for combating a variety of plant problems, from mold and root rot to the dampening off of seedlings.
Distilled white vinegar is non-toxic but acts much more slowly than chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. While it will kill the mold, the discoloration and stains may remain and require additional scrubbing with a household cleaner. Distilled white vinegar can be used safely on most porous and non-porous surfaces.