Unfortunately, Goji berries are a bit of a magnet for powdery mildew. While you can find some mildew-resistant varieties on the market these days, it’s always a smart move to take a few preventative steps. As we say in the gardening world: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Preventing Powdery Mildew
If you’re planning to add mildew-prone plants like Goji berries to your backyard, the golden rule is: don’t crowd them. Giving your plants plenty of elbow room ensures good airflow, which helps keep moisture off the leaves—the ultimate deterrent for fungal spores. Since Goji berries are such fast growers, you’ll need to stay on top of regular thinning to keep that air circulating.
If you do spot that tell-tale white, floury coating on the leaves, act fast. You’ll want to prune back any infected branches immediately to stop the fungus from spreading to the rest of your garden. Just a heads-up: throw those clippings in the trash, not the compost pile! To give your Wolfberry an extra boost, you can treat it with these natural DIY remedies:
- A simple milk and water mix,
- A baking soda solution, or
- Horsetail tea (a classic organic strengthener).
