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Lodi, California

Hi,

Im just curious, why does milk prevent p.m.? What type of milk works best? Does the ammount of fat (fat free, whole, ect.) affect how milk prevents P.M.? Thanks!

1/26/2014 4:15:01 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Jim Fredricks has great success with milk for pm, I'm sure he'll chime in.

1/26/2014 4:30:20 PM

Elk County, PA

Read something on this last year, Whole because it sticks to the leaves better. And Milk prevents PM by altering the PH and does not allow the the PM to set in. The source said said it works best by altering with another foliar application as to not allow the PM to get used to a certain PH. Should be noted I'm not saying this works, its just what I read.

1/26/2014 4:42:45 PM

Illinois

whole milk has over 100 different enzymes. Milk is pasteurized at 165F degrees and kills the enzymes

1/26/2014 8:47:53 PM

Connecticut

Short Summaries:

Why does it work? = Milk has multiple modes of action.

What type of milk works best? = Whole milk due to the fat having some spreader sticker properties. (However, even powdered milk can have some effectiveness).

More details:

Pasteurized milk has very similar effectiveness as fresh out of the cow's milk indicating that this process does not inactivate the milk.

For more information go to www.Team-Pumpkin.org and on the left click the tab entitled "Milk". You will find a very grower friendly PowerPoint presentation.

For those that are really bored this winter go to this link...

http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu/gs_theses/101/

1/26/2014 9:13:52 PM

San Diego

used it for many years since I go organic. I was always told 1 to 2% fat milk, so that is what I have always used. seems there was a debate if whole milk was no good for the leaves pores back when I started. I have had great success, but you have to spray once every week for best results. Plant gets a shiny look to it that is kind of cool until you mist like me, then it looks like a glazed donut loosing it's glaze lol. It's safe, fun to spray, and works good. I used chemicals in the past and found that my results were not much different than with milk.

I also use organicide at times, a great spray as well for pm.

1/26/2014 11:45:47 PM

England, essex

no one mentioned the STINKY cheese smell? lol

1/27/2014 6:31:15 AM

Germany

Cheese? My impression was that butter cam through first, and before it could turn into cheese I had to spray again, hence butter again.

1/27/2014 6:41:35 AM

Germany

"came" not "cam"...bloody typo

1/27/2014 6:42:16 AM

Lodi, California

Thanks Guys

1/27/2014 8:25:51 AM

Lodi, California

Another question to throw out there, can you mix together milk and other biological sprays? Thanks!

1/27/2014 8:37:40 AM

Princeton Kentucky

Ashton, Good questions and post. I don't know about mixing milk with anything else. You may possibly knock down (Dillute) any good effort with one type application mixing with another, just not sure personaly. I remember reading an article in 1999 from Wagner Bettiol, Brazil I believe on spraying milk and its benefits towards PM. There is also the spraying of Whey (Cheese making waste) that also works pretty good. I live within 12 miles of a cheese making factory so I can get all I need. Most importantly like Matt D. and others have mentioned, make sure if you do spray "Anaything for PM or Downy mildew alternate between at least two different types of applications weather its organic or chemical. Good to see you so intrested in learning all you can, I'm still doing the same after nearly 40 years of gardening,lol. Heres another good read that mentions the Bettiol research and others on wine & squash leaves: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/food-thought/dairy-solution-mildew-woes

1/27/2014 10:29:09 AM

Princeton Kentucky

I believe the rate of mixture on the Whole milk and or Whey is 10 to 1 every 2 weeks then alternate the next 2 weeks. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

1/27/2014 10:34:04 AM

Torrance, Ca.

I've personally seen Team Faiths patch at the end of the year Ash,,,,,

Looks better then mine ever has and I use lite chemicals throughout the year.


I may have to try milk this year ;)

1/27/2014 11:42:13 AM