Here's what i could find from a skilled grower, and his methods of solving the problem.
Plague of the White Fuzz - by Soma
As an avid breeder, grower, and one of the most enthusiastic smokers on this Planet,
I must say that powdery mildew is one of my worst enemies.
I have finally vanquished the dreaded powdery mildew fungus.
There are many methods, sulphur, milk and colloidal silver, to name a few.
They all help, but not as good as something that I grew up with as a kid.
Good old hydrogen peroxide. Mixing it and water in a good garden sprayer is my weapon of choice these days.
What I did was get 30% hydrogen peroxide. I diluted it 3 parts water to one part peroxide.
What I had then is about a 7 1/2% solution, which I then sprayed on my plants underneath the leaves and on top, including all of the stems and stalks. Immediately, I could see the powdery mildew bubbling away and dissolving.
This stuff is so strong that to see it disappearing right before my eyes was so pleasing.
When you are mixing this stuff up and applying it, I recommend wearing protective gloves and avoiding getting it on your skin, in your eyes or on your clothes, in fact, wear old work clothes when you do it. I use a 5 liter pump-up sprayer to spray the plants down.
I have noticed that when the peroxide drops down on the soil it fizzles and makes a mist, but I have noticed no ill effects from this. What I have also noticed is...no more harmful insects. They split without any poisonous chemicals.
The pests like spider mites do not like it at all. The best time to do this is just as the plant starts to flower, but can be done later on as well, but it needs some recovery time as the parts of the plants that had the mildew die-off, leaving healthy new growth free from the dreaded white fuzz.
Being the smoker that I am, loving cannabis with all my heart and soul, I help many coffee shops with quality control wares. They call me up, make an appointment and I come and taste test their best and like a famous wine taster, I tell them my opinion, which they value highly. When I spot the remnants of a crop that had powdery mildew it is very disheartening, as it basically ruins the taste and much of the high.
Another good way to use the peroxide is to clean up an infested grow area before planting a new crop. Make the same 7 1/2% solution and spray down the ceiling, walls and floors of the area and let it dry overnight with the exhaust fans on. You will then have an insect free grow space.
I have seen many growers spend much time and money trying to cure the mildew; this method is inexpensive and easy to use.
With the terrible weather we had here in Amsterdam this past summer, almost every outdoor grower I know had a problem with powdery mildew. I spread this remedy around to everyone I know. Try it out and get back to me with your findings so we can all learn more...Love and Light, Soma
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