How to avoid mildew in Phlox -- my tip

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I love tall phlox and have many older varieties that are prone to mildew. The mildew battle can be won! I read somewhere that using a milk-and-water spray would prevent/get rid of the problem, so for the past two years I have done this. And, for me, it works!

Just mix 1 part milk to 9 parts water in your spray bottle (I have a dandy little hand-pump one) and spray tops and undersides of phlox leaves til runoff. In the morning is best for allowing drying. Apply again as needed, especially after rain.

The milk used can be any type of dairy milk -- whole, skim, whatever. I use skim as that is what we buy.

I do not find this to be a chore -- since the procedure has nearly eliminated mildew on my phlox (and on lilac, I might add) I am happy to wander my gardens doing this. It affords a pleasant time examining the rest of the plants to see how everything is doing.

Give it a try!

I got the sprayer at Amazon -- comes in larger size also, and has excellent adjustable nozzle to apply underneath leaves. Solo One-hand Pressure Sprayer. Sorry I don't know how to link.

Featured Answer

prairiemoon2 z6b MA

5 years ago

There's also an article on Phlox in Country Gardens magazine Spring 2019 issue. Varieties they mention that have superior resistant to mildew are -

The 'Fashionable Early' series

'Eva Cullum'

'Shortwood'

'Robert Poore'

'Orange Perfection'

'David'

'Peacock White'

'Laura'

'Blue Paradise'

'Bright Eyes'

'Jeana'

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Comments (9)

share_oh
5 years ago
Interesting! I love tall phlox. I've had a mildew problem in the past. I will definitely write this down and give it a try this summer!

When do you start spraying it and how often? I'm guessing this is a preventative and you don't wait till you see signs of mildew?

Oh one more question - if you don't use the whole mixture, does the milk spoil if not refrigerated?

Thank you for the tip!
roxanna7 thanked share_oh
violetsnapdragon
5 years ago
I read that tip in a gardening magazine--glad to hear that it really works! Thanks!
roxanna7 thanked violetsnapdragon
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Barb, Its probably powdery mildew, take a look at the link for a picture to see if thats it. Powdery mildew is a disease that occurs worldwide. For decades, organic gardeners had to rely on making a spray from baking soda to control the disease. Now, instead of measuring out the baking soda and combining it with a surfactant (a "sticking" substance) of either oil or soap, gardeners need only head for their refrigerators. A weekly spray of milk at a concentration of at least 10% (1 part milk to 9 parts water) significantly reduced the severity of powdery mildew infection on the plants by 90%. How does milk control powdery mildew? Scientist aren't 100% sure how milk works to control this disease. It seems that milk is a natural germicide. In addition, it contains several naturally occurring salts and amino acids that are taken up by the plant. From previous experiments using sodium bicarbonate, potassium phosphate, and other salts, researchers have found that the disease is sensitive to these salts. It is possible then, that milk boosts the plant's immune system to prevent the disease. Worth a try :) Here is a link that might be useful:
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roxanna7
Original Author
5 years ago
Share -- I try to get ahead of actual mildew in a preventative way, but I have so many gardens and so many phlox that sometimes it does show up before I deal with it. I need to refill my special little sprayer pump more than once to do the entire job. If I have leftover mixture, I do put it into the fridge, after making sure I empty the nozzle so it doesn't clog.

So when I have been lazy and the mildew has shown up, I just begin the spraying regardless, and unless the attack is truly terrible (which has happened!) to the point that the infestation is very heavy, even at that late time, the procedure kills much of it. I try to reapply the mixture every few days in high summer when conditions here (Zone 5b-6 Central MA) are humid.

Glad you plan to try it! The One-handed Pressure Sprayer I mentioned in the OP from Amazon Is able to be set for constant spray mode without my having to squeeze the trigger handle. Makes it much kinder to my aging small hands!! I highly recommend it (I have four of them for various garden uses, lol).
roxanna7
Original Author
5 years ago
Violetsnapdragon (love your name!) -- go for it! It really helps. When I do it soon enough, AND faithfully, the result is hardly any mildew, hurrah.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Although a milk solution is well known in its ability to help control powdery mildew, it is only a preventative. Most fungicides, even organic ones, are. You need to start spraying before you see any signs of the disease. It will not kill or remove existing infestions but only keep it from spreading to unaffected foliage.
roxanna7 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
5 years ago
Really appreciate this tip for a home made solution. I haven't really grown phlox because of the mildew problem. I've seen them get pretty ugly by the end of the season. But I came across a variety last year that seems to be very resistant to it, or is claimed to be and I bought two last fall. 'Glamour Girl'

Phlox 'Glamour Girl'

I like the fact your sprayer has a constant spray setting, because that was something I would avoid without it for the same reason. I link to the one you mention below.

Solo One Hand Pressure Sprayer

I'm thinking I may be able to use one of these for liquid fertilizer.
roxanna7 thanked prairiemoon2 z6b MA
GardenHo_MI_Z5
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Love that sprayer with the up turned nozzle..thanks for sharing!

It will come in handy to tackle those destructive ‘four lined bugs’ that took up residence in my garden...
roxanna7 thanked GardenHo_MI_Z5
roxanna7
Original Author
5 years ago
Yep, that sprayer has all kinds of good features! I love mine. Enjoy!

(Thanks for posting the link, PrairieMoon, as I haven't the faintest idea how to do that!)

How to avoid mildew in Phlox -- my tip

prairiemoon2 z6b MA

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How to avoid mildew in Phlox -- my tip

prairiemoon2 z6b MA

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share_oh

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