tiny white markings on leaves

ceridwen

Several of my plants have tiny white markings on the leaves - only some of the leaves mark you.

A couple of mints, for instance, are amongst them.

a. What is this and how to prevent it/cure it organically?

b. The leaves obviously don't look right with this - but are they still edible?

c. Don't know if this is anything to do with tiny white insects I've spotted recently? - and I've been duly spraying my plants with garlic spray.

NB; Have also noted some of the mint leaves getting tiny holes in them - dont know if this is slugs, snails or something else. I have put the plants up on tables - so don't know whether anything would manage to climb up to them. One of them is still getting these holes - so does that mean that a slug or snail is managing to lurk in the soil in the pot and, if so, how can I "entice it out" where I can get at it?

westiea

hi

sounds like it could be Powdery Mildew,

This is a fungus very prevelant at this time of year. It is caused by high humidity and poor air circulation - usually by having plants too close together and occasionally by too much shade.
Make sure the plants are spaced and getting good air circulation. Spray with baking powder - recipe here,or Neem oil - here - remove as much of the infected leaves if you can also helps.

I personally wouldnt eat them.

Insects may be Aphids/Thrips? if so then your garlic oil should see them off!

ceridwen

Hi

Thanks for that. I've checked out the photos and it doesnt resemble mildew (have had that before on some courgettes I tried to grow and could see clearly that was yuk and inedible). Its more like spots of white ink if that makes sense - faint white dots.

I think its probably something that comes in the "I dont like the look of it - but it is edible" category - ie same as one doesnt like the look of leaves on things like lettuce when they get holes in from rampaging slugs or the fact that "something" has been clambering around on ones food, but they are actually still edible IYSWIM.

Hence - I'm trying to stop those white spots happening because they are mucking up the look of my mint - but I would think I can still actually eat it IYSWIM.