Maine
A mildew that attacks cucumbers and cantaloupes has arrived in Maine
Latest heavy rain in Maine was excellent news by way of mitigating ongoing drought circumstances. Sadly, it was additionally excellent news for a selected kind of mould that assaults rising greens. And that’s unhealthy information for gardeners.
It was already shaping as much as be an optimum yr within the Northeast for cucurbit downy mildew, which first confirmed up earlier this summer season in New Jersey. Final week it was noticed in japanese Kennebec County, in keeping with data posted by the Maine Natural Farmers and Gardeners Affiliation.
The mould can closely harm cucurbit vegetation, one of the crucial generally grown vegetable households in residence gardens. It’s the species with probably the most varieties of things folks eat. It consists of cucumbers, melons and squash.
In keeping with Caleb Goossen, crop and conservation specialist with MOFGA, it may be particularly laborious on cucumbers and cantaloupes if it makes its method into Maine.
“A few years it’s not a difficulty right here in Maine as a result of it doesn’t overwinter right here,” Goossen stated. “When it confirmed up in New Jersey lots sooner than we regularly see it there, it appeared prefer it could possibly be a possible for a nasty yr.”
The summer season’s early dry circumstances stored the humidity-loving, airborne mildew from attending to Maine, however latest rainfalls and heat temperatures gave it the increase it wanted.
In keeping with Goossen, the precise cucurbit mildew at present in Maine solely infects cucumbers and cantaloupes. He stated he’s gotten two reviews this week of it showing on cucumbers.
One other number of the mold that assaults winter squash and pumpkins has been reported in Massachusetts this week, he stated.
The primary seen signal of the mold on vegetation is yellow spots on the leaves. Because it progresses, it could actually create darkish lesions on the bottoms of the leaves. The more serious it will get, the extra the leaves will dry up and weaken all the plant, inhibiting vegetable progress.
In actually unhealthy instances, it could actually wipe out a complete crop.
The issue, in keeping with Goossen, is as soon as you’ll be able to see the mold and related signs, it’s too late. Early an infection is asymptotic.
“For the house gardener, when you discover it, it’s just about recreation over,” Goossen stated. “The perfect safety in your vegetation is advance warning.”
Goossen recommends planting mildew-resistant crops that may fend off the assault. If you happen to suspect mildew could possibly be spreading to your space he urges software of a fungicide on the vegetation to stop it from taking maintain.
“That’s the reason I like to recommend people join our pest report,” he stated. “I ship it out each two weeks through the rising season.”
For natural growers, there are copper and bio-fungicides which can be efficient when used as preventatives.