Is this mildew?

This has appeared on lots of my plants inc Clematis blooms, geranium leaves and lupin leaves. What is it, what can I do about it and what did I do wrong to make it happen and most important should I just dispose of the affected plants?

 

Hi @cindy , yes it's mildew. It's caused by not enough watering at the roots and the air being moist. I've had it on some of my Delphiniums this year.

Take off the affected leaves, give the plant a really good soak and try to keep it damp ( normal dampness, not overly wet ).

You could also try spraying with a mixture of milk and water. I've not tried this myself but it is said to work.

 

@KFF thanks for the advice. My lupins in particular don't have a single leaf that are not affected so cutting off leaves would leave, well, a root ball. Im guessing too late in the season to do that so maybe milk and water is the way to go. However the Lupins are not really doing much so might just cut my losses with those.

 

I've done that Cindy. I love Lupins but I've got rid of mine this year, to me they're just not worth the hassle. I've just got the one now but I've got the feeling that that will be in the bin in a couple of weeks.
The trouble with where I live is that I'm in a bowl shaped valley with two rivers and a canal nearby so in this weather we have morning mists etc and me not living near the garden ( my moms ) I can't do any early morning watering to counteract them. If you can get out and give them a good soak every morning you should be good.

 

My friend has tried the milk and water on both cucumbers and courgettes if I remember rightly, says it works a treat!

Nick