white fluff

[Wednesday]

HI guys! My first question, i hope you guys have seen this before and are able to give advice on what I must do.

Now im growing Gem-Squash in my back yard. Its a plant that usualy growns in southern part of africa. Its a bit like a pumkin. smaller and green. If i can add photos (let me know) then I can show you what they look like.

Now my problem that I noticed is: on the big green leaves of this plant, some sort of white fluff started to appear. first little dots of white here and there, but now its litteraly taking over the leaves, and it seems to be drying it out. The leaves are now starting to turn yellow and dieing. Plz! I hope someon knows if this is some sort of insect/ pest or is this natural ??? Certanly dont look natural.

[Wednesday]

you can see the white stuff on the plant

[Wednesday]

here the white stuff is only a little bit.

[Lesley Jay]

Wednesday that is Powdery Mildew. My courgettes and squashes nearly always get it. Our climate doesn't help! Try not to wet the leaves next year when watering (all the rain doesn't help!) and also don't plant too close together.

There isn't anything you can buy to clear it but apparently skimmed milk mixed with 9 parts water and sprayed on the plants can reduce the severity of the infection.

[Wednesday]

ah cool!! can i still eat my squash? (the veggie) or is it in anyway harmfull towards me? the white stuff is only on the leaves, not on the squash itself.

[Lesley Jay]

Yes the squash will be fine to eat. I never bother about it when my courgettes and squashes get powdery mildew. My main concern is that the squashes mature on the plants before the weather turns too cold!! You could try wiping a couple of the worse leaves with the milk solution on a cloth to see if it helps before spraying the entire plant.

[Wednesday]

ah thank so much!!! I will try that tomorrow morning :-)