North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Thomas Olenio <tolenio@sentex.net>]

rooting wrote:

> The following ideas seem to be the most organic methods (for powdery mildew)
>
> <snip>
> Milk
> 10-20% skim milk to water ratio.  Milk seems to boost the plants immune
> system to fight off fungi.  Apply liberally. <snip>

Hi,

Don't get the wrong idea about milk...  It does nothing for the plant other 
than to acidify the
leaf surface as the milk breaks down.

You will note that all the techniques you listed change the PH of leaf 
surfaces; sulfur (lower
PH), lime (raise PH), bicarbonate of soda (lower PH), and milk breaking down 
to acids (lower
PH).  Powdery mildew can only survive in a narrow PH range.

If you ever have a concrete statue that you would like to cover with moss and 
lichens just pour
milk over the concrete structure.  As the milk rots and breaks down it will 
acidify the surface
of the concrete and make it more hospitable for moss and lichens, giving the 
appearance of being
ancient.  I may take a number of appliations of milk over a couple of months.

Later,
Tom.