Help - Have I got powered mildew on my Lonicera 'Serotina''
By Annelise
Warwickshire,
United Kingdom 
Just when I thought I had everything under control in the garden, all of my three Lonicera's are starting to get a powdery white film over them. I planted them late summer last year and after a few weeks I noticed a film of like white dust spreading all over them. They then went yellow and shred all their leaves and I was left with bare stems.
The Man at the GC last year had told me it was due to the humid and wet weather we had. (can't remember if he said it was mildew though) This year they were really healthy looking and shooting up the wall. I was looking forward to them flowering in September, but then today I noticed the same problem with the white powdery film and can't understand why (especially with all this rain and no humidy) this would happen again.
I have looked up mildew probs in the questions on here and mine looks different to other members pics of mildew.
What is the best way of stopping it spreading please or treating it. I couldn't bear if I lost all three again.
22 Jun, 2012
Answers
Thanks Sarraceniac, you are a star!
Shall take pics later today and post asap. In the meanwhile I'll try the milk method and probably think about moving them to another spot.
23 Jun, 2012
Sorry have had to add the pics on a new question as couldn't get them to appear on this one!
24 Jun, 2012
Previous question
If you could post a picture it would help to find out what stage of development it is in but basically if it is still in the spots stage then the mildest (and cheapest) way of dealing with it is to spray with a mixture of 10% milk and 90% water. Yes, ordinary supermarket milk will clear a mild infection. It is believed (but not yet scientifically proven) that the fungus does not like the lactic acid. If it has gone beyond that stage then you should spray with a commercial fungicide. Probably the best is Bordeaux mixture but, although accepted by the 'organic' regulators for use on peach leaf curl, because it is about the only thing that works for this horror, it is not exactly the most friendly chemical, containing copper sulphate which is toxic and should be kept away from children and pets and NOT inhaled when spraying. Maybe somebody else can suggest a branded fungicide but I hope this gives you some idea.
23 Jun, 2012