RHS 1L Ready to Use Bug & Mildew Control

Product Information

The leaf spot pathogens Stigmina and Eupropolella cause brown spots on the leaves. The centres of the spots may eventually fall out, leaving irregular holes in the leaves that resemble damage from shotgun pellets – hence 'shot-hole'. Spots caused by Eupropolella are larger than those of Stigminaand sometimes havefungal fruiting bodies visible, and can lead to large parts of the leaf being shed The shorter persistence pesticides (that are usually certified for organic growing) are likely to be less damaging to non-target wildlife. Avoid overhead watering as this increases humidity around the foliage, which makes the plants more prone to powdery and downy mildews Edibles:Tebuconazole with trifloxystrobin (ProvantoFungus Fighter Plus) can be used on glasshouse crops of cucumber, courgette and summer squash. Sulphur (Mildew Clear for Edibles) can be used on grapevines, gooseberries, cucumbers, peas and a wide range of root and tuber vegetables (full details on label). The pesticides listed are legally available in the UK. This information is provided to avoid misuse of legal products and the use of unauthorised and untested products, which potentially has more serious consequences for the environment and wildlife than when products are used legally.

The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivarselection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner. Non-chemical control Asexual spores (conidia) of the g rey mouldfungus are always present in the air. They require leaf wetness or very high humidity to germinate and infect. Damaged or senescent plant parts are a very common way in which the fungus gains entry to the plant. The disease has a huge host range, and is active over a wide temperature range.Light infestations are of little consequence and can be tolerated. Note that dead scales can remain firmly attached to the plants. The success of any treatment can be gauged by the extent to which new growth remains free of scale insects. Non-pesticide There are no products available to amateur gardeners for the control of either downy mildew or grey mould. Sulphur (Mildew Clear for Edibles) can be used on grapevines for powdery mildew control(full details on product label). Little can be done by cultural means to prevent infections when conditions are suitable. Plants may sometimes'grow through' the problem, with new leaves being unaffected when growing conditions change so that they are less conducive for the diseases

Powdery mildew initially grows over the leaf surface, visible as a white powdery coating, particularly on the underside of the leaf RHS Bug & Mildew Control is a pesticide free, ready to use spray that works by physical mode of action and contains a blend of surfactants which stop the pests from moving and being able to feed. Ideal for flowers, fruit, vegetables and ornamentals, the spray can be used both outside and undercover to control a wide range of garden pests, including Aphid, Whitefly, Red Spider Mite, Scale, Mealybug, and Psyllid. RHS Bug & Mildew Control provides plants with foliar nourishment to promote healthy growth and abundant fruit, vegetables and vibrant flowers. When used regularly powdery mildew can also be controlled as the formula washes the foliage to remove any active mildew spores. No harvest interval is required, meaning any produce grown can be eaten within hours after application. What’s more this product is safe to use around the whole family, including children, pets wildlife and Bees. Powdery mildew: the powdery mildew fungus over-winters in the buds and when these start to growin the spring it produces airborne spores which spread the disease. The pathogen originated in north America, but is now present wherever vines are grown. Leaf infection reduces plant vigour. When fruits are infected they split as they expand and this allows secondary infection by grey mould ( Botrytis cinerea). Further information about the use of pesticides available for management of scale is available on the pesticides for gardeners leafletDowny mildew: the downy mildew pathogen survives over winter as resting spores in dead, infected leaves. These initiate new infections in the spring. Subsequent infections occur from airborne spores produced on these initial infections. Wet conditions are required for infection to occur and the disease is very seldom seen on vines grown under glass. The pathogen is an obligate biotroph (it feeds on the living cells for extended periods without killing them, and cannot live on dead plant material). Vitis vinifera is susceptible; other Vitis spp. and related Parthenocissus spp. (Boston ivy, Virginia creeper) and Ampelopsis are less affected. The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner. Non-chemical control: Unusually for powdery mildew infections, the brown tissue then drops out, often leaving irregular holes in the leaves, and tattered edges which look more like insect damage than disease. The marginsof the holes often have a corky, brown appearance The RHS recommends that you don't use pesticides. Most pesticides (including organic types) reduce biodiversity, including natural enemies, impact soil health and have wider adverse environmental effects.

There are no fungicides available to amateur gardeners with activity against downy mildewor grey mould. Sometimes growth of the powdery mildew fungus is sparse and the symptom is a grey or purplish discolouration of the leaves Powdery mildew fungi produce microscopic air-borne dispersal spores from the fungal growth on the plant surface. These have an unusually high water content, enabling them to infect under drier conditions than most other fungal pathogens.

2 litre Potted Plants

There are considerable differences in susceptibility between rosecultivars. However, any claimed resistance to the disease may not persist for the lifetime of the plant, or be effective in all localities. Chemical control

Fungicides are likely to need several applications during the growing season, particularly in still, humid weather. Sprays in late summer and early autumn may help to reduce the number of infected buds in which the fungus can overwinter.Resistance: A number of grape cultivars show some resistance to powdery mildew including the wine varieties 'Leon Millot', 'Orion', 'Seyval Blanc' and 'Triomphe d'Alsace' and the outdoor dessert variety 'Brant'. Chemical control Where you cannot tolerate scurfy rose scale, manage them using the information above as your first course of action. Powdery mildew: the biology of powdery mildewis discussed in the web profile devoted to this group of diseases. Scurfy rose scale can be difficult to control, replacing severely infested plants can be considered