WPM diagnoses

[Camillia]

Hey everyone! I have been outdoor growing for 3 years now. I have seen some white powder mildew over the years and have treated it with sodium bicarbonate and water mixture. This year is strange, I have not seen any WPM on the leafs, or stem. But I just noticed some, under and close to the buds. I have three 8 foot high plants. Only one is having this issue. The other two are happy! What do we think? Save the lady or have a bonfire with a few tears.

 

[Creeperpark]

Hey everyone! I have been outdoor growing for 3 years now. I have seen some white powder mildew over the years and have treated it with sodium bicarbonate and water mixture. This year is strange, I have not seen any WPM on the leafs, or stem. But I just noticed some, under and close to the buds. I have three 8 foot high plants. Only one is having this issue. The other two are happy! What do we think? Save the lady or have a bonfire with a few tears.

That's an indication that there's not enough calcium in the soil. Next year add some lime to your grow plots.

 

[Jcue81]

Interesting, @Creeperpark- I did not know calcium played a role in preventing WPM. Is it a PH adjustment that brings the protection? I’d appreciate any other knowledge on the topic.

 

[Creeperpark]

Calcium is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development, with many roles in the plant:

Cell structure
Calcium is a key component of cell walls and membranes, which helps strengthen the plant's structure.

Intracellular messenger
Calcium acts as a second messenger in many physiological and developmental processes, including how plants respond to stress.

Photosynthesis
Calcium regulates stomatal movement, which affects gas exchange and photosynthesis.

Nutrient uptake
Calcium helps balance organic acids in the plant and activates enzyme systems that affect nutrient uptake and activity.

Nodule formation
Calcium helps nitrogen-fixing bacteria form nodules on the roots of leguminous plants, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.

Seed formation
In gymnosperms, calcium is involved in the formation and maturation of seeds.


Calcium deficiencies can cause a variety of physiological disorders, including:

• • Death of growing points
  • Premature shedding of buds and blossoms
  • Tip burn
  • Blossom end rot
  • Bitter pit
  • Reduced fruit quality and firmness
  • mold or blight
    

Calcium deficiencies are common in acidic, sandy soils, where calcium can leach out through rain or irrigation water.

 

[Creeperpark]

Yes, calcium in soil can help inhibit mold in plants.

Calcium sprays
Calcium sprays can reduce powdery mildew and botrytis blight infections in plants. For example, spraying tomatoes with calcium chloride or calcium nitrate weekly can reduce mildew colonies by up to 95%.

Calcium's role in plant defense
Calcium plays a key role in a plant's defense response to pathogens. When a plant recognizes a pathogen, calcium ions trigger an oxidative burst, which is the plant's first line of defense.

Calcium's role in plant growth
Calcium is essential for plant growth. You can add calcium to your soil by adding lime in the fall or adding eggshells to your compost. You can also spray plants with a calcium solution to increase calcium levels.

Supplemental calcium, in addition to a sound soil fertility and fungicide program, shows promising results at reducing both powdery and downy mildew infections in cropping systems. google

 

[Camillia]

Yes, calcium in soil can help inhibit mold in plants.

Calcium sprays
Calcium sprays can reduce powdery mildew and botrytis blight infections in plants. For example, spraying tomatoes with calcium chloride or calcium nitrate weekly can reduce mildew colonies by up to 95%.

Calcium's role in plant defense
Calcium plays a key role in a plant's defense response to pathogens. When a plant recognizes a pathogen, calcium ions trigger an oxidative burst, which is the plant's first line of defense.

Calcium's role in plant growth
Calcium is essential for plant growth. You can add calcium to your soil by adding lime in the fall or adding eggshells to your compost. You can also spray plants with a calcium solution to increase calcium levels.

Supplemental calcium, in addition to a sound soil fertility and fungicide program, shows promising results at reducing both powdery and downy mildew infections in cropping systems. google

This is all wonderful stuff! Thank you for the information, I did look into it more, that way I become a better grower next year!