This skimmed milk solution recipe helps to combat and increase plant resistance to mildew and powdery mildew. The lactic acid and enzymes contained in the milk are responsible for the antifungal effect of this recipe. At tisanji, we’ve used it successfully against mildew and powdery mildew.
Preparation time
5 minutes
Maturation time
Instantly
Ingredients
- 100 ml skim milk
- 900 ml water
- 1 tbsp. black soap (optional)
Black soap is used here as a wetting agent, i.e. it does not have a direct antifungal action, but helps the solution to adhere to the aerial parts. It thus contributes to the effectiveness and durability of foliar spraying.
Preparation
- Mix the ingredients and pour into a spray bottle.
- Spray all aerial parts (don’t forget under leaves) until saturated.
Milk solution concentration for fungal disease applications
Skim milk doesn’t burn the leaves, so you don’t need to dilute this solution as much as with other products. Concentrations vary widely in reference books, but in our personal tests, a 1:9 ratio (as suggested in the recipe) works very well and is more economical than a 1:1 ratio.
Milk solution application frequency
Spray once a week (but repeat after rain).
Milk solution storage
Milk solutions work even when the milk has expired, but this solution tends to form gelatinous masses that block sprayers. So it’s best to make a new solution each time you use it.
Tips
- Don’t hesitate to use expired milk for this purpose: it works just as well as fresh milk.
- Use the tasks with an annual recurrence to plan preventive treatments for your plants that are prone to fungal diseases.