The Real Story of Mildew

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

Plant mildew may indicate that something is wrong

When you hear the word mildew, you probably pictures some type of growth in your bathroom. Little did you know, that is actually mold. Mildew is something entirely different. So, what can you do about mildew in Amberly Village, OH?

What is Mildew?

The short story is that mildew is a subgroup of mold that only grows on living plants. There are two species groups of mildew, each containing many subspecies. However, all mildew growth looks powdery and is usually white or light gray. The only way that it could ever be inside your house is if it was on one of your house plants; it won't spread to other surfaces. Some common plants to find mildew on are:

• Grains
• Grapes
• Onions
• Melons
• Lilacs
  

Where is Mildew?

Remember, mildew is only found on plants. If you hear someone talking about mildew in their bathroom or kitchen, they are not using the correct term. If you have hired a remediation specialist to remove mold from your home and they call it mildew, you should question their competency. Mildew is often plant specific, and a lot of species only grow on certain types of plants- for example, there is a type of plant mildew that will only grow on grape plants.

How To Eliminate Mildew

There are lots of products in stores that advertise "mildew removal". However, these products are mislabeled and are actually aimed at removing mold from tile, etc. Using these on your plants could kill them. Mildew usually only grows in certain conditions, so if you take these away the mildew should also go away. It likes humidity and low air circulation, so if your plants are crowded you should move them apart. Mildew is also more likely to be found on plants that are stressed or weak, so be sure research what your plant may be lacking if you find any powdery growth.
Finding plant mildew on your crops or houseplants isn't usually a death sentence for them, but a good indication that something is wrong. If you take steps to correct their living conditions, they'll be fine in no time!