Mildew is one of the most common fungal diseases in plants. You can recognize an infestation by the thin, white layer that makes the leaves look like they have been dusted with flour.
How can you combat mildew on rosemary naturally?
To naturally combat powdery mildew on rosemary, remove affected leaves immediately and spray the plant several times with a milk-water mixture (100 ml whole milk, 900 ml water) or garlic infusion (2-3 crushed garlic cloves in let it steep in hot water).
Powdery and downy mildew
There are two different types of mildew. Powdery mildew occurs in warm and dry temperatures, which is why it is often referred to as “fair weather mildew”. Here the fungus settles primarily on the stems and on the surface of the leaves. Downy mildew finds ideal conditions, especially in damp weather, and causes very stubborn, white deposits.
Fight mildew naturally
Infected leaves must be removed immediately and either burned or disposed of with household waste - under no circumstances should they be put in the compost. Otherwise, the affected plant is sprayed with a milk-water mixture (100 milliliters of whole milk to 900 milliliters of water) or a garlic infusion (pour boiling water over two to three crushed garlic cloves and let it steep for at least an hour and then allow it to cool). The treatment should be repeated several times.
Tips & Tricks
Chemical pesticides, the so-called fungicides, should not be used on herbs intended for consumption such as rosemary.
