Spinach is considered a he althy vegetable that you can grow in the garden almost all year round. If you sow late in September, you can harvest spinach all winter long. However, you have to watch out for downy mildew infestation, especially on winter spinach.
How do I recognize powdery mildew on spinach?
Downy mildew on spinach is shown byyellowish, slightly raised spots on the upper side of the leaf. On the underside of the leaves you will find a gray-purple fungal turf. The leaves tear and die. Powdery mildew rarely occurs on spinach.
Why is spinach often affected by powdery mildew?
Spinach issown in spring and autumn, when ideal conditions for mildew fungi often prevail. Downy mildew appears at temperatures around 15 ° C and high humidity. If spores from affected plants are spread by the wind, they quickly develop a mycelium on moist leaves. Powdery mildew spores can also reach plants from the ground through rain splashes and infect them. Winter spinach, which sprouts into the cold season, is particularly at risk.
How can I combat downy mildew on spinach?
The first step to take if your spinach is infected with downy mildew is toRemove the affected parts of the plant. If the plant is already heavily infested, you should remove it completely. Do not dispose of the plant parts in the compost, but in the household waste. Then spray your spinach with a garlic broth. To do this, pour one liter of hot water over 50 grams of garlic cloves. After cooling, filter the garlic and spray it directly onto the affected plants.
How can I prevent powdery mildew on spinach?
You can prevent powdery mildew on spinach when planting and during growth.
- Choose asunny to partially shaded location so that the leaves get enough light.
- Make sure there is the right distance between the plants so that the leaves can dry well after rain,
- Fertilize spinach only moderately. The plant is a medium feeder and high nitrogen fertilization softens the leaves.
What measures can help with powdery mildew on spinach?
Because spinach prefers neutral soil, you can sprinkle primary rock flour with pH 7 on the soil. Thecontained silica is absorbed by the plants and strengthens the cells against pathogens. A field horsetail decoction also has the same effect. You can use both measures as prevention, but also after the first infestation. Once you have discovered an infestation and taken the first measures, you can also mulch the soil thoroughly. This means that spores from the soil are not splashed onto he althy plants by rain.
Tip
Resistant varieties
Spinach that is resistant to mildew is also available in stores. In recent years, however, two new breeds of downy mildew have emerged. These also affected previously resistant spinach varieties. There are now new breeds that are also insensitive to the new pathogens. When buying resistant varieties, make sure that they also resist the new mildew breeds.
