Hi, I got an orchid and it spread powdery mildew to my African violets. I keep them in a different room.

Next, I bought some pots that had powdery mildew on them! Two plants got it on their soil! These are my new begonia and bougainvillea! Those plants are fairly new. They are kept away from the orchid and African Violet in a different room and have never been together.

So, now I have two powdery mildew problems in two separate rooms! I wash my hands a lot and I never use the same watering can.

I bought some Copper fungicide for my rose plant which has rust on it. I used it on the downstairs plants.

First question, is Copper fungicide safe?

I also sprayed Neem oil and water on these new plants previously, since I was worried about bugs. They don't appear to have bugs, but shouldn't the Neem oil have killed the fungus? After having sprayed the Neem Oil, there is now powdery fungus on top of the soil.

Are my plants going to die? I bought the 100% pure Neem oil and mixed it with water. I bought the Copper fungicide separately, not knowing Neem oil should be good for fungus - or so it says online.

These two say "organic" on them - but are they safe? If I get the copper on my skin is it bad for me? Should I wash the plants off after treating them and before bringing them inside?

Is there something else I can spray on them - something more natural that I can make?

Thanks

With indoor plants, Powdery Mildew usually occurs in situations of lower light, or conditions of poor air circulation and dry air (low humidity).

The fungal disease will definitely spread from one plant to another and any affected leaves should be removed but if it's a really heavy infestation, you may need to resort to some type of spray to control or rid the plants of Powdery Mildew.

For future prevention, always keep a bit of space between each plant to help in air circulation. When watering, keep the foliage dry and only water the soil. Many keep a fan running on low speed, which helps with air circulation.

Take a breath, Anna.
Powdery mildew is species/genus specific. Orchid mildew (not common) will not infect African Violets. It only grows on plants, not soil. The stuff on the soil is not a problem, ignore it.
Copper and Neem are relatively safe, wash your hands after using and you're good. You don't need to rinse the plants before you bring them in.
Post some pictures of specific issues and we'll have a better idea what the problem is.

I've had good luck with neem oil in the right concentration again powdery mildew, but will say it never quite knocked it out. Not sure if that's on me or not.

And no, in my opinion "organic" does not mean safe by default, plenty of organic oils that can cause chemical burns or otherwise be detrimental. I'm a big fan of most things organic but you have to read between the lines.

Time of day for watering can help also.

Early is always better for me with mildew.
More time to utilize the moisture, even if you bottom water.

Hi the powdery mildew went away with the Copper fungicide. It won't go away on my African violets though. Thanks for your replies.

Whatsmyplant said: Hi the powdery mildew went away with the Copper fungicide. It won't go away on my African violets though. Thanks for your replies.

Thanks, good to know!

Odd it'd work on one plant but not another though.

Definitely the same mildew?
Same treatment, time..?
How about waterings?

Humboldt said: Thanks, good to know!

Odd it'd work on one plant but not another though.

Definitely the same mildew?
Same treatment, time..?
How about waterings?

I'm not sure. I brought an orchid with unusual colors. I placed it near the African Violets. The orchid had a white thing on the leaves with I mistook for a supermarket spray. Suddenly the white mildew spread on my African Violets. Someone here said it was impossible. They said that powdery mildew is different for each plant. For instance, powdery mildew on an orchid is a different species of fungus versus what could grow in the African Violets.

Are you sure it was mildew and not mealybug? Mildew fungi look like a fine powder while mealybugs are more "clumpy" and substantial. Maybe some pics?

CPPgardener said: Are you sure it was mildew and not mealybug? Mildew fungi look like a fine powder while mealybugs are more "clumpy" and substantial. Maybe some pics?

Agreed, pictures can always help.

How are they doing now?

Humboldt said: Agreed, pictures can always help.

How are they doing now?

Hi Humboldt,

Thanks for your patience and consideration. I was faint to take the pictures because the orchid was such a disaster. As you can see, the orchid is a great color.

This is what it looked like before I got the orchid. Since it has this weird issue, I couldn't fully enjoy it. I had to put it in the spare room. Check out the cool pink and orange colors:




Here is the orchid now. The leaf has less white on it. If I touch the leaf, the white doesn't smudge. It's stuck on like a thick paint. I can't rub it off or clean it. It has decreased though. It was whiter before.







Here is a bit of mildew on one African Violet. All my other African Violets have been treated and were cured.

I guess someone here said it wasn't the same mildew, but honestly it began when I put the orchid next to them.

I have other plants in the same room that have no mildew. They are not on the same plant stand as the orchid and violets though.









Thanks for your help. Sorry I didn't post pictures by sooner. I was just deflated and floored when the white stuff just took over and I couldn't properly enjoy this awesome orchid. I could honestly barely look at it.

CPPgardener said: Are you sure it was mildew and not mealybug? Mildew fungi look like a fine powder while mealybugs are more "clumpy" and substantial. Maybe some pics?

Hi, I just posted a two pics of the leaves. What do you think? I can't rub it off. It is stuck on like paint.

Thanks!

Wow, that was a stunning plant!

Hopefully will be again soon.

Thank you for the photos, still hard to tell.

I see the spots on the African violet back leaf. If you can get a clearer and closer picture I can ask my friend who does this for a living.

He just got married this weekend! so it might take a little while before I hear back.

I googled white film orchid leaves and got everything from watering issues to mineral deposits from watering, to PM and mealybugs.

Humboldt said: Wow, that was a stunning plant!

Hopefully will be again soon.

Thank you for the photos, still hard to tell.

I see the spots on the African violet back leaf. If you can get a clearer and closer picture I can ask my friend who does this for a living.

He just got married this weekend! so it might take a little while before I hear back.

I googled white film orchid leaves and got everything from watering issues to mineral deposits from watering, to PM and mealybugs.

Hi those are just hairs on the African Violet. It has hairy leaves. The grey mildew was on the soil.

Thanks anyway! I hope to save the orchid, so I'm keeping it away from the others.

That's right, ringing a bell now. Sorry, didn't re-read the entire thread.

At one point you said said,
"Suddenly the white mildew spread on my African Violets. Someone here said it was impossible. They said that powdery mildew is different for each plant. For instance, powdery mildew on an orchid is a different species of fungus versus what could grow in the African Violets."

In hindsight I'd totally agree with CPPgardener.
I know powdery mildew, if that's what the orchid had, can be carried in soil but don't think it grows on it the way it does on leaves.