Home - Garden
Keep Your Citrus Trees Mildew-Free With A Little Help From
This Ingredient
By AMIRA GUNDEL
Citrus powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can severely affect the health and yield of citrus trees. Luckily, a kitchen ingredient can provide an efficient remedy: baking soda.
Studies have shown that baking soda creates an alkaline environment that prevents fungal spores from germinating. There are two effective ways to utilize it against this mildew.
First, you can create a dormant oil by combining 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of neutral oil in a gallon of water. Second, you can make horticultural oil.
Start by mixing 5 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, a bit of soap, and a tablespoon of olive oil or another neutral oil in a gallon of water.
Applying either of the oils will render the fungus inert. However, caution is advised, as excessive use of baking soda may lead to soil toxicity, endangering other plant life.