Powdery mildew infestations are common to all sorts of plant species. With the ability to completely destroy a harvest, powdery mildew is a disease that must be taken very seriously as it becomes costly for any farmer looking to make a profit. Pumpkins, however, are especially vulnerable to powdery mildew infestations. When left untreated, powdery mildew on pumpkins may result in over 30 percent reduction of yields, leaving growers frustrated. When the weather conditions are dry the powdery mildew may start to grow and in humid conditions the infestation will spread rapidly.

Pumpkin plants are an important part of fall. When October rolls around, people from all across the country flock to pumpkin patches in order to pick out the prettiest pumpkins to carve at their homes. In addition, many fall recipes call for pumpkin and growers want to ensure that they capitalize on the many pumpkin purchases during the month of October. Therefore, the ability to recognize powdery mildew infestations early on is imperative to maintaining a healthy harvest and preventing costly losses. Even better, however, is the ability for growers to prevent powdery mildew attacks from occurring all together.

The following are some of the most common signs of a powdery mildew infestation on your pumpkin harvest:

• White, powdery spots (blotches) on the upper and lower leaf surfaces
• Entire plant is covered with the white and dusty spores from the fungus
• Leaves eventually turn to a yellowish or brownish color and die
• Pumpkin may become deformed
• Pumpkin develops sunscald caused by the lack of coverage from leaves

Controlling and preventing powdery mildew attacks is the key to keeping your pumpkin harvest healthy and thriving. Using an organic powdery mildew killer is the most safe and effective method. However, it is vital that the fungicide bottle reads a few critical elements. Be sure to check that the fungicide is non-toxic, safe for the environment, and made of all natural plant extracts. Click here to learn more about powdery mildew killer.