I was gutted to find my pretty little Small Sugar pumpkins developing a rather nasty case of powdery mildew. I have been watering the roots rather than the leaves – but took no other preventative measures and have paid the price. The plants are well advanced, with 4 near full sized fruit which are ripening already and half a dozen or more smaller fruit. I guess my pride has come and bit me on the bum where these are concerned! Last night I had to remove all the infected leaves (90%) and will be returning tonight to administer the first weekly dose of diluted milk and water spray which is purported to inhibit the mildew.
My main fear is that the plants won’t survive long enough to fully develop all the fruit – but aside from that I want them to look nice too! is that shallow of me?….
