Lamb lettuce is a popular winter vegetable in Germany. There are also varieties you can grow in summer. The plants are particularly popular because of their uncomplicated cultivation. But fungal diseases can also occur in robust lamb's lettuce.
Does powdery mildew appear on lamb's lettuce?
In lamb's lettucedowny mildew mostly occurs. Because lettuce is preferably grown in autumn and winter, the “bad weather fungus” can spread easily on the plants. Summer varieties in particular can also be at risk from powdery mildew.
What causes powdery mildew on lamb's lettuce?
Awet late summer or autumn with temperatures above 10 °C leads to the development of downy mildew. This pathogen becomes noticeable in lettuce through yellow spots on the top of the leaves. noticeable. When growing lamb's lettuce in summer, long dry periods can promote the development of powdery mildew. But mild, dry autumn weather also poses a risk of powdery mildew. You can recognize the infestation by a flour-like coating.
How do I combat powdery mildew on lamb's lettuce?
At the first signs of mildew you should remove theaffected plants from the bed It is best to dispose of them with household waste. The leaves are only suitable for consumption to a limited extent. Typical spraying agents against powdery mildew only have a limited effect on lamb's lettuce because it is difficult to wet all areas. That's why you should attach great importance to prevention.
What preventive measures are possible?
Depending on the season and weather,Baking powder against powdery mildew or field horsetail tea can help prevent downy mildew. Make a spray solution from baking powder. You can add field horsetail tea to the irrigation water. When growing in a greenhouse or polytunnel, regular ventilation is the best prerequisite to avoid infestation with mildew. The correct planting distance and only moderate amounts of moisture can reduce the risk of downy mildew spreading.
Tip
Resistant varieties against mildew
There are now some varieties of lamb's lettuce that are resistant to powdery mildew. Gala and Cirilla score points with high yields and at the same time they are resistant to powdery mildew and downy mildew. Elan, Verte de Cambrai and Medaillon are resistant to downy mildew. This makes them particularly suitable for autumn and winter cultivation.
