The label on my bottle of neem says that mixed solution should be used within a few hours of mixing, so I think you need to mix a new batch. Do you still have any of the concentrate left?

Also, I think someone here suggested Fung-Away as the best treatment for powdery mildew. I don't know from experience though, but just in case you are looking for other options, here's a link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fung-Away

Donna =

I second Alenka - you dispose of the old solution and make a new batch.

In my experience Neem oil is a very good preventative. If your PM is rampant you need to do something else. -Fung Away seems good enough. Lysol spray is a preventative too.

If your PM is in a very beginning - you need to spray all you collection once a week with Neem - and I used anti-lice shampoo instead of dish soap. I sprayed without taking the plants off the shelves - my theory was that PM spores usually land on the top of the leaves.

There are some varieties - PM magnets - that catch it first - and spread it to the other plants. You need to treat them aggressively - or get rid of them alltogether.

Good luck

Irina

Thanks for the advice on mixing up a new batch of Neem Oil each time. I'll try the anti-lice shampoo too then spray the daylights out of the entire bunch again.

I'll also order some Fung-Away today! Have you ever used Sulfur powder to treat powdery mildew? I have wondered how well that works as a treatment.

At first I noticed the PM on the crown of only those few plants but now I see it on the leaves of others so I guess it is spreading like you said, to some established plants as well as a few leaves I've put down. It sure is hard to get it under control.

Donna

Donna -

please tell us how it works with Fung-Away. I tried powdered sulphur - couldn't figure out how to do the dusting so it goes on to the leaves, not into my nose.

i.

PS I use anti-lice shampoo - just in case if there are fungus gnats or thrips - supposedly Neem oil works on them too - but why not to double whack them - if you are already in a messy work of spraying. Out of all possible chemicals - these are on a less harmful for humans and pets side - but I still prefer to tie a bandanna on my nose and mouth and wear glasses - not to to breathe in the droplets - and I am pretty sure that personally I do not have lice - so I do not need treatment ;-)).

Gee I never thought of what people in town would think when they see me buying lice shampoo! Ah what we won't do for our violets :-)

It says on the website that Fung-Away needs to be applied to the foliage - guess that means I'll get another work out with my new handy dandy sprayer. Sure does make a mess of my kitchen counter so I can only imagine what it will do on the Rose colored spare bedroom walls.

Thanks so much for the ideas.

Donna

Donna,

Have you tried spraying with Lysol? I find it very effective and a lot easier to use, just make sure you don't hold it real close to the plant.

Barbara

Barbara -

I just used Lysol on the streps - it started developing PM - the only one I guess susceptible to it - worked like a charm - and I had an AV leaf put down - that got PM all over the surface- and I really wanted the babies from it - I soaked it in Lysol, literally soaked every day - and PM always came back. The stuff that really takes care of it - called Topaz - generic - penconasol - and it is not available in States, but available in Europe. So far I was not able to find an analog here.

Irina

Well just got finished dousing a whole bunch with Lysol. We'll see how the next few days go. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks everyone!
Donna

Hi Donna,
NEem oil works well for PM as well as thrips. It doen't kill the bloom whereas Lyson will kill the bloom. Still there are a couple other sprays on the market to help with the problem. One is Physan 20 but like all the rest it needs to be sprayed a few times a week apart. Meanwhile the one big help would be to increase your air circulation. I keep a ceiling fan running 24/7 and an oscilating fan when the lights are on. The neem oil goes a long way. Make up small batches and after spraying dump it and mix again for the next time just before u spray.
Fred in NJ