Find the best tips on How to Control Powdery Mildew in Peas and harvest healthy, delicious pea pods from your yard.
Powdery mildew, a prevalent disease affecting numerous plants, also targets peas. This affliction can result in stunted or deformed growth, reduced harvest, and the production of undersized, bland peas. Keep reading to learn How to Control Powdery Mildew in Peas.
What are the Symptoms of Powdery Mildew of Peas
Powdery mildew in peas usually happens when it is warm during the day and cold at night, with dewy mornings. If the soil doesn’t drain well or there’s not enough air around the plants, the problem can worsen. The first sign is small, round, whitish, or gray spots on the top of older leaves. You can easily wipe off this powdery stuff with your fingers. It spreads fast and can cover whole leaves and stems, turning them yellow or brown and causing them to die. This makes the peas more vulnerable to sunburn since they don’t have leaf protection. Eventually, you might see small black spots, which are actually spores.
Controlling Powdery Mildew of Peas
To control powdery mildew in peas, follow these tips:
Plant peas where they get morning sunlight, not in shady areas. Sunlight helps dry leaves and slows down powdery mildew growth. Choose disease-resistant pea varieties whenever possible and avoid over-fertilizing. Use slow-release fertilizer for best results.
Water your peas early in the day so they dry before it gets cooler at night. Some gardeners suggest spraying a mix of baking soda and water on plants when you first see signs of mildew to protect them. For mild to moderate cases, try spraying with plant-based oils like neem oil, but avoid spraying if it’s hotter than 90°F (32°C).
You can also use commercial fungicides at the first sign of the disease or even before if the weather favors powdery mildew. Natural fungicides, which are safe for pets, people, and helpful insects, can be useful but may not be as strong against mildew as chemical fungicides. Remember, once the disease takes hold, fungicides aren’t very effective. To stop it from spreading, get rid of severely infected pea plants. In the fall, clean your beds really well because powdery mildew spores stick around in old plant parts over winter.
Also Read: Powdery Mildew on Japanese Maple
