Most varieties of goji berries, like the wild form of the common buckthorn, are unfortunately relatively susceptible to infestation with fungal diseases such as mildew. If it is not possible to switch to resistant varieties from the outset, powdery mildew infestation should be counteracted using a combination of care and control measures.
How to combat mildew on goji berries?
To prevent mildew on goji berries, plants should not be planted too close together and should be cut regularly. Remove affected plant parts and use natural products such as milk water mixture, baking soda solution or field horsetail solution.
Mildew infestation – prevent and contain it
Basically, plant varieties susceptible to powdery mildew should not be planted too close together and should be cut regularly to ensure good ventilation of all parts of the plant. However, while downy mildew is favored by permanently humid site conditions, powdery mildew can spread particularly well on dry and warm days. Infected plant parts should be removed and disposed of as quickly as possible; this measure can sometimes also be easily combined with an already pending pruning.
Natural remedies for mildew
In order to combat powdery mildew infestation that is still in its early stages using the most natural means possible, the branches and leaves can be treated with the following sprays:
- Mixture of one part milk and five parts water
- Baking soda solution: A packet of baking soda dissolved in three liters of water and a little rapeseed oil
- Field horsetail solution
Tip
If your goji berry is infected with a type of powdery mildew, you should no longer use the leaves for consumption (as is common in some countries). However, you can usually still harvest and process berries that are already ripe, provided you are not particularly sensitive to mold as an allergy sufferer and corresponding allergic reactions are to be expected.
