Mold or scale?

[iris]

I have 3 nice healthy plants outside, starting to flower....they have a whitish scale or mold that is on the top of the leaves....looks like the leaves are dusty but it doesn't come off? It's been there since they were small and were inside so it didn't just happen when they went out......, and is also on one that I cloned off...as new leaves grow, they too get it.....worried this is the "Mold" that attacks the buds? any ideas?....thanx....

iris Reviewed by iris on 08-19-2006. Mold or scale? I have 3 nice healthy plants outside, starting to flower....they have a whitish scale or mold that is on the top of the leaves....looks like the leaves are dusty but it doesn't come off? It's been there since they were small and were inside so it didn't just happen when they went out......, and is also on one that I cloned off...as new leaves grow, they too get it.....worried this is the "Mold" that attacks the buds? any ideas?....thanx.... Rating: 5

[iris]

I'm thinking its Powdery Mildew.....started them in a cold, garage many months ago....but out in the hot summer sun it is still there.....read that a baking soda and water mix will do the trick.....plants are about 4.5 ft tall, just started flower process....over 85% of leaves have the "mildew"...all but the top 6 ".....anyone have success with the baking soda/water spray?

first timer....gardening mom!

[stinkyattic]

Okay, time to get some neem oil and mix as directed. This is an organic fungicide/fungisat. Get the problem under control before flowering gets too far because if you use it in the last 3 weeks of flower you could end up with residue in the buds.

[iris]

thanks for the advice.....I did do the baking soda/epsom salt spray this morning though.....it is probably wise to let that sit a day or so before trying neem oil.....

wish I'd taken this more seriously when it just looked like dust!

thanx

[iris]

Stinkyattic.....thanx so much!!....the plants look beautiful today after the Neem oil last night....I could cry!.....

There is a touch of some leftover Mildew on some leaves (or I could just be paranoidly hallucinating)...can I spray them again just to be sure?.....or should I wait? if so, how long?

thanks again for your advice...it worked like a hot damn!

Iris

[stinkyattic]

Go ahead, spray away. I mist mine with a dilute neem solution 1-2x daily and they love it.
Dontcha just LOOOOOVE the stank of neem? pheew, yuck.

[iris]

thanx...and yes it does stink...keeps the bugs away though I think...I've had a little white bug that I squish about a half doz daily....none this morning after the Neem ....

you did say that you have to stop in the last 3 weeks of the flowering though.....being a newbie here...how do I know that?