Search
Latest topics
» N&C Midwest: June 2023by OhioGardener Today at 8:40 pm
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by Scorpio Rising Today at 8:03 pm
» Boosting Compost's Microbial Diversity w/Compost Activator
by dstack Today at 7:22 pm
» New to Forum and SFG 15" raised bed foundation
by clphelps97 Today at 5:06 pm
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by donnainzone5 Today at 12:46 pm
» Tea Time -- Compost Tea, that is
by sanderson Yesterday at 4:23 pm
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by sanderson Yesterday at 4:09 pm
» Easy Refrigerator Pickles from Extra Produce
by sanderson Yesterday at 3:29 pm
» Frequency/amount to water
by lisawallace88 Thu Jun 08, 2023 3:12 pm
» Mulch around garlic
by Scorpio Rising Thu Jun 08, 2023 10:19 am
» Birds of the Garden
by Scorpio Rising Wed Jun 07, 2023 9:21 pm
» Paul's First SFGs
by pkadare Wed Jun 07, 2023 4:38 pm
» Famous Gardening Quotes
by OhioGardener Mon Jun 05, 2023 10:18 am
» Hello from Central Missouri, Zone 6a
by Scorpio Rising Sat Jun 03, 2023 3:48 pm
» N&C Midwest: May 2023
by OhioGardener Thu Jun 01, 2023 8:55 pm
» Walking stick kale
by sanderson Wed May 31, 2023 1:38 pm
» Why Letting Weeds Run Wild Can Actually Help Your Garden
by sanderson Tue May 30, 2023 2:35 pm
» Teaming with Microbes Kindle Sale (Mem. Day weekend 2023)
by sanderson Mon May 29, 2023 3:14 pm
» Mid-Atlantic New Host Intro & Info
by JAM23 Mon May 29, 2023 8:38 am
» Poppy seeds - Hungarian Blue Breadseed
by AtlantaMarie Sun May 28, 2023 6:12 am
» Sluggo Plus
by sanderson Sat May 27, 2023 3:23 pm
» Centpedes
by OhioGardener Thu May 25, 2023 6:19 pm
» beneficial nematodes
by OhioGardener Wed May 24, 2023 9:18 pm
» Senseless Banter...
by markqz Wed May 24, 2023 5:39 pm
» Pre-Filling a 30" Raised Bed
by toledobend Wed May 24, 2023 1:10 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by AtlantaMarie Wed May 24, 2023 7:03 am
» Aphids & Their Predators
by MrBooker Wed May 24, 2023 6:01 am
» Hello from Bobcaygeon, Ontario
by Scorpio Rising Sat May 20, 2023 1:52 pm
» Spring Flowers
by OhioGardener Thu May 18, 2023 6:23 pm
» My Solar Dehydrator at Work
by sanderson Thu May 18, 2023 3:10 pm
Google
‘White dust’ underside Chard/Silverbeet leaves
4 posters
Page 1 of 1
‘White dust’ underside Chard/Silverbeet leaves
Hoping to find an answer to this mystery going on with the chard (in Australia called silverbeet). I noticed a light white dusting on the underside of the outer leaves of one of the chard plants. Two plants next to each other, one affected, the other one not. At first I thought it was powdery mildew but I’m not entirely convinced to be honest. I know what powdery mildew looks like from zucchini and cucumber and usually the leaves are covered all over but not like this, not just on the underside and nowhere else. Also the fact that the other plant doesn’t have anything makes me doubt my diagnoses but then again, it might be just a matter of time…
It doesn’t look too bad when dry but when I put it in a bowl with water it looks spectacular. Like a spider has been busy making webs all over! Looks beautiful, almost silver. When taken out of the water, it is still visible but not the same as when in water (great trick of light!). It does come off when rubbing it but not with just running water. So, 1. What is it? 2. Can I still eat it (stir fried with some onion and garlic, yum!) 3. If not eating it, then probably better keep out of composting bin?
Thanks!




It doesn’t look too bad when dry but when I put it in a bowl with water it looks spectacular. Like a spider has been busy making webs all over! Looks beautiful, almost silver. When taken out of the water, it is still visible but not the same as when in water (great trick of light!). It does come off when rubbing it but not with just running water. So, 1. What is it? 2. Can I still eat it (stir fried with some onion and garlic, yum!) 3. If not eating it, then probably better keep out of composting bin?
Thanks!




Eos-
Posts : 8
Join date : 2022-08-26
Location : Central Coast NSW Australia
sanderson likes this post
Re: ‘White dust’ underside Chard/Silverbeet leaves
Your chard certainly looks great!
If you use a magnifying glass, is there a possibility that there is some small insect or mite attacking the undersides?
I don't know if this applies to your variety of chard, or if your chard is old enough, but when I have various infestations, I cut the leaves back to just a few token plants. After awhile the chard recovers and usually, at least for awhile, it's mildew-free. Using this approach, the chard lives for 2 or more years (at least in my freeze-free climate). But, again, your chard might behave differently.
I'm sure someone will be along with additional, improved insights.
Good luck!
If you use a magnifying glass, is there a possibility that there is some small insect or mite attacking the undersides?
I don't know if this applies to your variety of chard, or if your chard is old enough, but when I have various infestations, I cut the leaves back to just a few token plants. After awhile the chard recovers and usually, at least for awhile, it's mildew-free. Using this approach, the chard lives for 2 or more years (at least in my freeze-free climate). But, again, your chard might behave differently.
I'm sure someone will be along with additional, improved insights.
Good luck!
markqz
Forum Moderator- Posts : 787
Join date : 2019-09-02
Location : Lower left hand corner
sanderson likes this post
Re: ‘White dust’ underside Chard/Silverbeet leaves
I've experienced this powdery white stuff on chard, but it was on the tops, not the underside. It was the beginning of powdery mildew spread by insects-first appeared as tiny white lumps where the injury/infestation started. Cut it back and hit the remaining leaves with neem oil or spray the leaves with a milk and baking soda mixture.
Last edited by Yardslave on Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:16 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : spelling)
Yardslave-
Posts : 538
Join date : 2012-01-19
Age : 72
Location : Carmel Valley, Ca.
sanderson likes this post
Re: ‘White dust’ underside Chard/Silverbeet leaves
This is a new one for me.
I first thought it looked like snail slime, or insect webbing. Maybe try what Mark does.
I first thought it looked like snail slime, or insect webbing. Maybe try what Mark does.
Thanks!
Thanks to all of you who replied. It is still a mystery. Maybe it is mildew but the fact that it’s only on the underside of the leaves makes me doubtful. Also considered the spider mite but it’s not web-like. A good soak in water with vinegar was enough to get clean leaves. First followed the sensible advice and cut it back but I just noticed something developing on both sides of one leave so will take it out completely, not taking any risks. It might be mildew after all. We’re only at the start of the growing season and on the other side of the gate I have cucumbers and zucchinis, don’t want them affected this early in the season!
Thank you all, really nice to be on this forum!
Thank you all, really nice to be on this forum!
Eos-
Posts : 8
Join date : 2022-08-26
Location : Central Coast NSW Australia
sanderson likes this post

» Tiny white bugs on underside of lettuce leaves
» Controlling White Powerdy Mildew using Lilly Miller Sulfur Dust
» Truth or Myth? Garden Lore Explored
» White bull's eye fuzz on leaves
» White residue on leaves
» Controlling White Powerdy Mildew using Lilly Miller Sulfur Dust
» Truth or Myth? Garden Lore Explored
» White bull's eye fuzz on leaves
» White residue on leaves
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|