With the new popularity of home-grown fruit and vegetables from the garden, gooseberries are also increasingly being grown in gardens again. But the cultivation of gooseberries should be well prepared, as the plants often suffer from powdery mildew.
How do I recognize powdery mildew on gooseberries?
Mildew first appears on gooseberries assmall white dots on the leaves. These quickly become larger and appear as white, floury deposits. Later the leaves turn grey-brown, dry up and fall off.
How can I treat powdery mildew on gooseberries?
Gooseberries are usually attacked by a form of powdery mildew, which is, however,hard to control. This is American gooseberry powdery mildew, which is caused by the fungus Sphaerotheca mors-uvae. An important step in the fight is to cut back all affected shoots vigorously. You should then treat the plant regularly with home remedies such as fresh milk or a mixture of baking soda, rapeseed oil and soft soap. Make a mixture of these substances and spray your infected gooseberries.
How do I prevent powdery mildew on gooseberries?
Mildew infestation on gooseberries can be prevented bythe right care measures.
- Use nitrogen-containing fertilizer minimally
- Observe plant location requirements
- Use field horsetail tea as an additive to irrigation water
- Regular pruning of bushes
Mildew overwinters in the shoot tips. If there was an infestation of mildew in the previous year, you should cut it down again before budding begins. Also pay attention to your jostaberries and currants. Both plants can also become infected with American gooseberry powdery mildew.
Tip
Mildew-resistant gooseberries
To prevent gooseberry powdery mildew, you can choose resistant varieties. The varieties 'Invicta' and 'Mucurines' offer a high tolerance to powdery mildew with green berries. Red-skinned mildew-tolerant gooseberries are 'Remarka', 'Rolanda' and 'Captivator'. The variety 'Rixanta' is resistant to mildew and produces yellow-skinned fruits.
