White mould on foliage

1940sGal

I noticed not long after I bought a climbing rose that a white mould type stuff started to appear on the leaves. It wipes off if rub my finger over it but it soon comes back and what started as being on a few leaves has spread to most of the plant.

Then today I noticed it on the leaves of an oak tree growing in a neighbour's garden.

Does anyone know what it can be and if it's a major problem?

Badrick

Sounds like powdery mildew, it's a fungus that thrives in high humidity..
Apparently you can make a cheap spray on treatment using a tablespoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of liquid soap and a gallon of water. Don't apply in direct sunshine and test on a small area first as it can burn foliage of certain plants. It's also a good idea not to use fertilizer until mildew is controlled as new growth is more vulnerable to attack.

peter_the_piper

Or use a Rose Fungicide.

AnGee

Spray with 1 part milk to 9 parts water. I read it somewhere recently and gave it a go. It seems to be working for me.