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Powdery mildew affects many plants. Economically, it poses great challenges for agriculture and viticulture. But are fruits such as grapes, cucumbers etc. edible despite mildew infestation? You can find the answer in the following article.

In a nutshell

  • Powdery mildew fungi spread mainly on the foliage
  • there are two different types that affect fruit plants
  • Rash or stomach problems possible with grapes
  • Vegetable plants affected by powdery mildew are basically still edible

detect powdery mildew

Before worrying about the possible risk of eating fruits with mildew fungi, the infestation should first be clearly identified as such. Typical identifying features make it easy:

powdery mildew

  • white spots on leaf surface
  • later turn gray to brown
  • light "flour carpet" forms, which feels sticky
  • Coating smells musty
  • in the advanced stage, the fruit may become crooked and discolored
  • Affected fruit: shells harden, burst open and/or dark discolouration
Powdery mildew (left), downy mildew (right)

Wrong mildew

  • gray or grey-violet fungal growths on the underside of the leaves
  • only brightening or yellowish spots on the upper side of the leaf
  • Leaf dies off over time

Notice: Whether it is powdery mildew or downy mildew, these are fungi that are mostly limited to the leaves. The fruits are then unaffected, but this is not the case with every fruit plant.

Is powdery mildew toxic or non-toxic?

A powdery mildew infestation is non-toxic in itself and therefore does not pose a threat to human health, at least in theory. However, it can have a toxic effect on the leaves that can cause allergic reactions. This has no effect on fruits such as pumpkins, zucchini or cucumbers because, as mentioned, this only affects the plant leaves. With grapes, however, this can be different.

The following health reactions can occur in this context:

  • Difficulty breathing, especially in asthmatic patients
  • skin rash
  • stomach pain
  • indigestion

Notice: Because children, and especially small children, are sensitive people, they should not eat the fruit of plants infected with powdery mildew.

Are grapes with powdery mildew edible?

The fruit and foliage hang close together. That is why it happens that the powdery mildew fungi spread from the leaves (accidentally) to the grapes. However, there is no reason to expect any reduction in the health safety of grape consumption as long as no damage occurs to the fruit.

Grapes with powdery mildew

Tip: Because fruits can in principle have damage caused by parasites or pathogens, it is advisable to sort out damaged specimens as early as the harvest.

Indirect health hazard

Another problem with possible health consequences can arise when winegrowers and farmers use pesticides to combat the fungus. It is often used because the infestation can affect the taste of the grapes. The more mildew is widespread, the more inedible the grapes become. To prevent this, pesticides are used early on, which are known to cause symptoms. If you grow grapes yourself, you should of course avoid using pesticides.

Are cucumbers with powdery mildew edible?

Compared to cucumbers (Cucumis sativus), the mildew fungi are absolutely harmless. Here, in particular, the infestation is limited to the leaves, which are present in significantly smaller quantities than on vines. Nevertheless, each cucumber should be thoroughly cleaned before consumption, because other pests can also have settled there.

Is pumpkin with powdery mildew edible?

The same applies to the pumpkin (Cucurbita), whose mother plant is infested with a powdery mildew fungus. After thorough cleaning, it can be further processed and eaten without hesitation.

Powdery mildew on pumpkin plant

Are zucchini edible with powdery mildew?

Like the classic pumpkins and garden cucumbers, courgettes (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo convar. giromontiina) belong to the pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae). Mildew fungi do not usually colonize the fruit and can therefore be eaten without any problems despite the plant being infected with mildew.

frequently asked Questions

Can mildew be removed from cucumbers, grapes, etc. without leaving any residue?

Yes, if powdery mildew fungi “got lost” on it, then a thorough washing of the fruit will do. However, make sure that there are no cracks or similar in the skin through which the fungus could get inside the fruit, although the probability is very low. In this case, the fruit should be discarded and not eaten to avoid possible allergic reactions.

What fruits are inedible with powdery mildew fungi?

So far there are no known fruits that are not edible. While mildew is considered non-toxic, you should still discard fruit that has been damaged by the fungus. The risk of allergic reactions is significantly higher here than with fruit without any damage - and not to forget: the changes in taste.

When is powdery mildew in season?

Powdery mildew fungi are active between the beginning of April and August, although this can also shift due to climatic changes. While downy mildew loves humidity, powdery mildew is attracted to dry, warm, "fair-weather" air. They are also the ones whose spores are released in late summer or autumn and overwinter on the plants and thus remain present. "False fungi" only form their spores in spring and overwinter outside of plants.

Should a powdery mildew infestation be controlled?

If the mildew fungi on cucumbers, grapes & co. make little or no difference in terms of consumption, that does not mean that they should continue to spread undisturbed. The more fungus that forms, the more photosynthesis is restricted. Powdery mildew is less dangerous for the plants here, but if left untreated, downy mildew often suffers from severe leaf drop and subsequent plant death. Therefore, combating powdery mildew is always advisable.

How to fight a powdery mildew infestation?

It is recommended to use a home remedy instead of chemical mace. Baking powder or baking soda is recommended here. First, add a sachet of baking soda and 20 milliliters of rapeseed oil to two liters of water and mix well. Fill the mixture into a spray container and spray the plants with it until dripping wet. Don't forget the undersides of the leaves! For acute infestations, spray every other day for a week. Spray regularly afterwards as a preventive measure.

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Vegetable garden