Cavolo Nero a white film on the leaves ....mildew?

[martin godliman]

I like it for the easiness of harvesting, a few leaves or lot the plant just goes on and on. From time to time I tidy it up by ripping away the lower leaves that the turned yellow as well as some that have that white coating. Is it mildew ? something else ? is it a problem I can do anything about ?
Normally I have enough plant to still harvest enough....just wondering..

[martin godliman]

[goodlife]

Hm..without photo it is difficult to say what this 'white film' maybe. I would be surprised it would be mildew as we've had plenty of moisture to prevent it and kale (or any other brassicas) don't tend to get that trouble very easily. Sometimes you do see kind of 'greyish/whitish' film-like surface on brassica leaves that is natural. If you wipe that 'film' with your fingers..does it look same on the surface on finger or doesn't it show at all? This 'natural' waxy surface on brassica leaves doesn't transfer and show as visible stuff on your hands...it is sort of weather coating on leaves.

[Duke Ellington]

It might be that white powdery stuff left by cabbage white fly.

[martin godliman]

Thanks for the replies.

It does wipe off readily if I push my finger over it firmly and the leaf looks OK underneath though it's difficult to get off by that means or washing because of the puckered nature of the leaves. It does only appear on the lower leaves between the ones that turn yellow and the lush ones at the top of the plant.
I'm pretty sure It's not  the white fly deposit because I have certain amount of that anyway and it looks different.
As I said before I still get enough from the plants to be satisfied with my crop....possibly I plant them a bit too close to each other which I guess wont help.