North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>]

One proposed method of action for the milk is that it creates an environment
for bacteria, and those bacteria are antagonistic to fungi like powdery
mildew.  Additional milk will help the bacteria stay fed, happy, and
numerous, but even after rain the microecology of the tree should stay
somewhat the same.  Once a week spraying has been effective in trials, but
the twice a week you're doing is a common recommendation.  Of course, the
moisture from the water itself may increase powdery mildew, and I sure don't
want your tree to regain susceptibility.  

There are some products - like Serenade - that contain antifungal bacteria
and can be used on their own or with a milk spray to inoculate trees or
other plants and fight common fungal problems.  

As for type of milk, skim milk works as well or better than whole, and
reconstituted powdered milk (instant or noninstant) works fine: 1 part
powder to 36 parts water.

Any fruit yet from your Court Pendu Plat?  I read the variety may go back to
Roman times.  I also read sometimes of people 'discovering' milk spray -
which also may go back to Roman times....

Cheers,


Stephen Sadler, Ph.D.
USDA 9, AHS heat zone 8, 
Sacramento CA - Mediterranean climate

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Olenio
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 6:02 AM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Cc: labruscagrape@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [NAFEX] Milk spray - powdery mildew


Hello,

I want to thank the person who suggested a milk spray (1 part milk to 9  
parts water) for powdery mildew.

The apple I am using it on is very suseptible, and is recvering after a  
number of sprays.  This particular tree (court pendu plat) is my only tree  
that has a PM sensitivity.  It had not put on new seasonal growth until a  
fes milk sprays had occurred.

I am not organic, but every time I water the lawn the tree gets  
hit/rinsed, which requires re-application, and I do not want to spray  
dhemical fungicides that often.  I try to be careful not to hit the tree  
with sprinklers, but we have a backyard BBQ coming up and my wife wants  
the lawn green and soft.

Does not appear that you can spray too much milk. I am spraying every 3  
days or so, or after the tree is hit by sprinklers.

Sure is nice to spray something that works, that you do not have to be  
afraid of.

Thanks,
Tom
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