No one can fault gardeners for thinking their Zucchini plants have powdery mildew. This common fungus disease looks like white powder has been sprinkled on the plants. White spots occur naturally in the patterns of zucchini leaves. There is no need to be alarmed. This video will show you how to distinguish between powdery mildew and white spots on the leaves that are part of the pattern.
Rub the spot with your finger. It’s a quick and easy way to check for a problem. The powdery mildew will fall off the leaf when you gently rub it, but the white spots in the pattern of the leaves will not be affected. This is as simple as it gets.
To prevent the spread of powdery mildew, you should wash your hands before touching other plants.
Powdery mildew is a white powder that coats plants severely affected. Plant zucchini in the full sun, and allow enough space between each plant to allow air to circulate. Avoid watering the zucchini from above, as this creates an ideal environment for fungi to thrive. Apply water beneath leaves using a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses. This will allow you to get the water at the soil level. For more information, read my Powdery Mildew Prevention & Control guide.
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. We receive a commission when you buy the products. The prices of these products have not been raised to compensate us, and compensation does not influence their inclusion in this guide. All items included in this podcast and post were chosen solely based on merit and not influenced by an affiliate or financial incentives. Joe Lamp’l, at the time this article was written, has professional relationships that may include products in this post or podcast. These companies are Rain Birds, Corona Tools AeroGardens, Milorganite Soil3 Greenhouse Megastore PittMoss Territorial Seed Company Earth’s Ally National Wildlife Federation TerraThrive These companies either advertise on our site or are Brand Partners of joegardener.com. We do not receive any additional compensation for selling or promoting these products through this guide. This post does not have any affiliation with any of the mentioned products.
JOE LAMP’L
Joe Lamp’l, the “Joe” behind (r), is the creator. He has spent a lifetime devoted to organic gardening, and his passion for all things horticulture led him to become one of the nation’s most trusted and recognized personalities. Growing a Greener World (r) is a green-living lifestyle show on PBS broadcast for ten seasons. He’s probably digging or planting something in his raised vegetable garden or spending time on his organic farm north of Atlanta.
