I have cottony white blotches all over the stalks, leaves and stems of my tomatos.?

Question

I have tried fungus remvals and they only seem to work until I water again, then the stuff comes back. It has spread to my pepper, potatoe and melon plants. What is it and what can I do to get rid of it?

Answer 1

Powdery mildew or spider mites.  Talk to your local garden center and take a sample with you.  They are the best to diagnose the problem and adivise a cure.

Answer 2

It's powdery mildew.  A fungicide will work on foliage that hasn't already become infected, but you will still see it on affected foliage.  Remove as many of the leaves as possible which are infected and continue with the fungicide.  Sometimes it's a losing battle if you live an a very humid, wet climate.  If that's the case, plant earlier/later in the season before/after the rain has subsided and the humidity is lower.  If you're watering yourself, use a ground watering hose (the kind you string through your garden with perforated hosing) so the foliage doesn't get wet and water only in the morning hours.  

Sorry, I know it's very frustrating, hope you can rectify the situation.  Good luck.