Mildew

Mildew is a grey, mold-like growth caused by one of two different types of micro-organisms.

Mildew growing on a leaf. The ladybird is a Psyllobora species which feeds on the mildew.

What most horticulturalists and gardeners call mildew is actually powdery mildew, caused by various Ascomycota fungi. There are several species, all pests of flowering plants, called obligate parasites. The species that affects roses is Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosa.

The other main form of mildew is downy mildew, which is a member of the Oomycota phylum in the Protista kingdom. In commercial agriculture, downy mildew is a particular problem for growers of potatoes, grapes and vine-type vegetables.

Mildew can thrive on any organic matter, not just living tissue, and can appear on clothing, leather, paper, and the ceilings, walls and floors of many homes. It often lives on shower walls.

There are rare examples of artwork deliberately being done on mildewed paper, rather than mildew infecting the surface on which artwork was done at a time later than its execution.

External links

[How to Prevent and Remove Mildew in Relation to the House and Household Furnishings] from Virginia Tech and Virginia State University

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