Powdery Mildew and Giant Pumpkins

Powdery mildew often shows up on giant pumpkin plant leaves in August.  It shows up as a white, almost powdery substance on the leaves and if left unchecked can kill you plant.  However typically it just consumes the leaves.  Once you've got it there is not a way to get rid of it; you can only hope to control it.  The best approach to keeping from getting powdery mildew is a combination of the following:

• Actinovate - this beneficial organism that comes in a powder has been shown to reduce the incidents of powdery mildew.  I used it for the first time last year and I could definetly see a difference.
• Milk - a 10% solution of fat free milk mixed with water sprayed over the leaves has been shown to help keep powdery mildew away
• Compost tea - the jury is still out on this one but compost tea may help keep powdery mildew away

 I sprayed about 1/2 gallon of water with Actinovate in it on all of the leaves of the plant this evening.