Serbian gardeners urged to use milk or baking soda for powdery mildew

Powdery mildew, a common fungal disease that appears as white spots on leaf surfaces, attacks summer vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins and peas. Early signs include tiny white flecks that spread into a powdery coating; if left untreated, plants weaken, yield drops and growth slows.

Experts recommend two simple home‑made sprays. A baking‑soda solution uses 4 L of water, 1 tablespoon of soda and a small teaspoon of mild dish‑washing liquid to improve leaf adhesion; it should be applied in the early morning or late evening. A milk spray mixes one part milk with two parts water, creating a thin protective layer that hampers spore development when exposed to sunlight. Both preparations work only as preventive measures or in the very first stages of infection; they cannot cure advanced disease. Growers are also advised to remove heavily infected leaves, maintain proper plant spacing for airflow, and monitor crops regularly.