February 16, 2023
Mildew or Phytophthora infestans is a devastating disease in the garden, due to a fungus. It is prevalent especially in summers with a lot of rain and temperatures between 10 and 25°C.
By contrast, a hot, dry summer hinders the spread of this disease. Treatments exist, but the risk of an outbreak can be reduced by using resistant varieties and taking certain steps:
- Use healthy seeds or young plants, bought at a store,
- Avoid planting close to a potato crop, as well as petunias, ornamental tobaccos, bell peppers, and eggplant which are potential hosts for Phytophthora infestans,
- Ensure that no diseased potato tubercules remain in the soil,
- Under shelter, ventilate crops as much as possible to avoid high humidity,
- Do not water the leaves but the base,
- Remove diseased leaves as needed and burn them.
Varieties such as Pyros, Fandango, or Fantasio are already well known by home gardeners, but the variety of pink tomato Honey Moon has been found to be the most resistant variety in our line-up. And it is very sweet to the taste!