When the begons in the height of summer start showing that whitish powder on the leaves, it is the clear signal that the Oidio is taking over. This mushroom, as common as it is annoying, can ruin even the most luxuriant blooms if you do not intervene immediately.
Sometimes it is enough to turn around a few days and the leaves are already covered by that white patina that does not promise anything good. The Oidio does not wait, slips into the foliage folds and in a moment ruin weeks of care. But do not panic: with a few gestures and common ingredients, splendor can also be brought back to the begons even in the heart of summer. No need for complicated products or treatments from Botanical Expert. Just know where to put your hands and act immediately.
Begonie, especially those in pots that are held in shaded corners of the terrace, are a perfect target for the Oidio. The mix of sultry heat, wrong irrigation and little ventilation is the ideal recipe for seeing that cursed white appear. And it is not enough to unplug a leaf here and there: if you do not intervene in time, the plant can lose vigor and beauty in a few days. And then it is worth playing in advance with some simple but effective remedies.
Milk and water for the Begonie: the natural remedy against Oidio
Who would have said that such a simple remedy could really work? Yet the combination of milk and water It is one of the most loved solutions by passionate farmers. It is not magic, but biology: milk contains substances that disturb mushrooms and at the same time form a thin barrier that keeps them away. Mix a part of milk with two water, you pour everything into a sprinkle and away: a nice spraying on the leaves, preferably early in the morning or late afternoon. Avoiding hot hours is fundamental, otherwise you risk “cooking” the plant.
With a little constancy, in a few days the change is already noted. Those whitish patches begin to reduce themselves and the leaves return to breathe. Those who try it once, often don’t give it up anymore.
Bicarbonate and Marseille soap: the do-it -fish anti-green mix
You don’t need to run to the pharmacy or in a specialized center. Sometimes it is enough to open the belief of the house. The baking sodacombined with a pinch of Marseille liquid soapmakes miracles. Not only does it help to block the diffusion of the ioid, but also prevents new attacks.
There are those who swear they have saved an entire bezzie planter with this homemade remedy. Others say that two well made treatments are enough to notice a difference immediately. And, to be honest, seeing the leaves come back green and healthy is a satisfaction that is worth every splash.
To prepare the mixture you need:
- 1 liter of water
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of liquid Marseille soap (preferably pure and without perfumes)
After shaking everything well, the mixture is sprayed on all parts of the plant, not just the sick ones. But be careful not to overdo it: too much bicarbonate can alter the pH of the leaves. Better to limit yourself to once every 7-10 days. Sometimes, the less it is better.
Ventilated sulfur for the Begonie: the effective remedy in the most serious cases
When the situation is now out of control and natural remedies are no longer enough, it ventilated sulfur It comes into play as the last resource. It is not an aggressive treatment: it is also approved in organic agriculture, which reassures a lot of those who want to protect plants without exaggerating with chemistry.
It works by direct contact, therefore it must be carefully distributed over the entire leaf surface. Better to choose fresh days or apply it in the early morning, when the sun still doesn’t fight. Never exceed 28 ° C: there is a risk of doing more damage than benefits.
A detail that often escapes: sulfur also has a preventive effect. Used at the end of spring, it can keep the Oidio away for most of the summer. In short, there is no need to wait for the disaster: sometimes the secret lies in playing in advance.
Saving Begonie from the Ooid is not an impossible mission. Only a pinch of attention is needed, some remedies within everyone’s reach and the desire not to surrender to the first seasonal mushroom. And then, let’s face it: few things give satisfaction how to see a plant that seemed passed off to flourish.
The terrace thanks, and summer as well.
Photo © Stock.adobe and Ai
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