zucchini: lack of photosynthesis?

I took the advice of the internet when I found moldy mildew on my zucchini leaves, I "removed and destroyed all affected plant parts." It seems I waited too long to figure out this problem, as much of the plants were infected. Look at what I'm left with...

BEFORE

AFTER!

It was after the fact that I sat back and looked at what I did (pruned 90 % of the leaves!) and thought: "hmmmm.... how does photosynthesis happen if there are no leaves???!!"

We'll see if my zucchini still grow, or if new leaves quickly grow to replace them.

I suppose, next time, I will remove all the badly infected parts, and spray all the not-so-bad parts, to make sure that sunlight magic still happens.

For now, I may have just killed my zucchini plants :( At least I harvested at least a dozen for this year.

PS: just read that maybe pruning is ok. The internet said only to leave a few leaves, and to prune when the plant has produced about 4-6 zucchinis. Prune mainly the big leaves and do it close to the main stem, but never cut a stem, as that makes the plant more suceptable to disease.

White powdery mildew on my Zucchini leaves!!

I noticed that the leaves of my zucchini plants started to turn a bit white a few weeks ago.  I thought it was because I was spraying the leaves with the old 'soap and water' trick - you know, to ward off pests.  It turns out, that with a good 'ol google search (of course) that it's actually a fungal infection, and can completely destroy my plants and the fruit!  At this point, the leaves are REALLY white.  I waited FAR too long, but now I know what to look for. 

The beginning of a fungi problem on zucchini leaves.

Now I know why too... the hose attachment broke, and our garden hose got shorter (my brother-in-law took his attachment back), so I've had to water from above to reach everything.  It's a shame, cause the fungi has spread now :(

Anyway, this is the information I received from the following link at About.com:

http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenproblems/qt/PowderyMildew.htm

...You may not notice a problem until the top surfaces of the leaves turn powdery, but powdery mildew can also affect the lower leaf surface, stems, flowers, buds and even the fruit.
...it does stress the plant and severe or repetitive infections will weaken the plant. If enough of the leaf surface becomes covered with powdery mildew, photosynthesis is impaired. 

What Causes Powdery Mildew?

Powdery mildew fungi seem to be everywhere. They overwinter in plant debris begin producing spores in the spring. These spores are carried to your plants by wind, insects and splashing water. Conditions that encourage the growth and spread of powdery mildew include:

• Dampness or high humidity (Not common during rainy seasons or in extreme heat)
• Crowded plantings
• Poor air circulation

Controlling Powdery Mildew

• Choose healthy plants and keep they growing healthy
• Try and find a powdery mildew resistant cultivar, if your area is susceptible
• Don’t plant non-resistant varieties in the shade

Once Your Plants are Infected:

• Remove and destroy all infected plant parts
• Improve air circulation by thinning and pruning
• Don’t fertilized until the problem is corrected. Powdery mildew favors young, succulent growth
• Don’t water plants from above
• Most fungicides will need repeat applications every 7 - 14 days, for continuous protection. Always follow the label instructions for both application and waiting period before harvest

Of course, I want to maintain an ORGANIC garden, so this is the method I think I will try (also from About.com) :
http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenproblems/qt/PowderyMildew.htm

Baking soda makes an inexpensive control for powdery mildew on plants. The baking soda fungicide is mostly effective as a preventative, offering only minimal benefits after your plants have become infected. Weekly spraying of susceptible plants during humid or damp weather can greatly reduce the incidence of powdery mildew in your garden. To control powdery mildew on plants, mix together:
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon of liquid soap
• 1 gallon of water
Do not store unused mixture. While this recipe has been known to be effective, it can burn the leaves of some plants. It is recommended that you water your infected plants well a couple of days before applying this mixture, and don’t apply it in full sun. Try on a small area first, to test the plant’s response before spraying the entire plant. Some recipes also recommend applying 1 tablespoon of ultralight horticultural oil to the mixture. The oil coats and smothers the fungi. The soap is added to help the mix spread and cling to the leaf surface. Be sure to apply to lower leaf surfaces as well. I guess I'll get pruning and spraying tomorrow!!!

Where the waters run deep...

Ok, so I mentioned my fabulous neighbour getting me going on my fantasy garden, but I didn't mention my dad who had come a week before that, while I was out, and planted a whole bunch of seeds, unbeknownst to me!  He had planted a row of tomatoe plants, a row of cabbage, a row of zucchini an a row of  corn.  I was totally flattered that he would come and do that on his own, but at the same time - and I'm beig honest - I was kind of heartbroken.  I did want to feel like this garden was my garden, you know, like it was my endeavor.  Nonetheless, it was thoughtful of him, so I just said thank you.
It didn't take long for these seeds to sprout.  They were planted mid-end of June, and by my daughter's birthday (July 2) they had sprouted and were growing fast.  I hadn't done much either, just watered once a day; low the first couple of times, and then I started spraying them overhead.  Usually at night, because my days are SO BUSY with my two kids (3 and, now, 9 months).  My neighbour caught me watering in the dark one night and yelled over "The best gardeners water at night!"  YAY! I thought.  I'm on my way :)

I NOW know that watering overhead is the LEAST beneficial way to water, as much of the mist gets lost in the wind and/or evaporated, and wetting the foliage can damage the plant.  Especially at dark when there is no chance of the water drying up. It can cause mold to grow.  We all know that if you wet the foliage on a hot day, the sun will scorch your plants - do not water during the day on a hot day!

The best thing to do is to water low and deep.  The roots of the plant will grow where there is water, so you are encouraging healthy, deep-set roots.

I actually thought I would need a lot more patience, but things grew very fast. Along with my plants, I also noticed some weeds growing, so I went out there when my kids were napping and pulled them.  We have DEEP weeds! They are probably 5-10 feet deep!!!  So they break off pretty short and grow again in a few days.  Bummer.  Tip: before laying your dirt and planting your garden, really concentrate on digging up and getting rid of any weeds you see - it makes it SO much easier after.  My husband was supposed to do this, but I don't think he took it too seriously.

Weeding that day was kind of euphoric.  Imagine that?! Really! I fell into a kind of zen like state, where I felt serene and at peace.   Until my son started screaming at the top of his lungs wanting out of his crib.  Ahhhh, at least the moment was there :)

the journey begins...

It's been 3 years now that I have yearned to grow my own  garden.  The thought of my own vegetables growing in my backyard, free of pesticides and who-knows-what-else, and being able to feed my family with my hard work - ahhhhh, gratifying, to say the least.

It's been 3 years.  My first excuse, was that the landscaping was not complete.  My second year's excuse was that the area still needed to be tilled, heavily weeded, leveled off, and filled with rich soil.  A job I patiently waited for my husband to do:)  Must I really say more?? lol.

This year, after my husband did all of the things above (wonderful, after all, isn't he?) my only excuse... FEAR!  (well, and just shear 'dumb'- I literally had no clue how to start!)   Luckily for me I have one of those neighbours that everyone DREAMS of having; kind, caring, generous and an avid and amazing gardener!  I must say last year, he gave me a cherry tomato plant.  Already potted and grown, equipped with a stake system and all.  All I had to do was help it grow. Scary, since every plant I have ever had, has DIED  a horrible death.  No exaggeration.  As my first 'growing' endeavor, it did modestly.  I forgot to water it consistently.  In the end we had a small salad or two of cherry tomatoes.  Stil, for a plant killer like me, very gratifying.

So, my wonderful neighbour came over this year, plants in tow.  Yes. He BOUGHT me plants, and didn't ask for ANYTHING in return.  I know what you're thinking, but there are no houses for sale around here. Sorry!

This was truly a Godsend.  Since, as I said before, out of fear mixed with sheer 'dumb' I didn't know how to start! I had read gardening book after gardening book: Gardening for the Canadian Dummy, Gardening for Dummies, How to Grow a Vegetable Garden etc. etc. etc., but I couldn't make that first step to go to the store and buy a plant. haha.  Really. 

He showed me how to plant them.  Yes. Dig a hole, place plant in. Cover with soil.  Lightly water around the plant.

As he left that day, I could feel the fear rising up inside me... what if I kill them?!!! Now I have someone who is going to be watching for my garden to grow. What have I gotten myself into??!!!!!  

I begged for more advice, steps, instructions on what to do now... all he said was "Water it once a day." 

That can't be all? I knew this was going to be a journey of self-learning from here on.  My goal: "Don't kill the garden."  Clear.  Plain. Simple. Right?

Wish me luck!