Question
Okay, here's the background: I live on the East Coast where it rains about every week... I had found a sprouting apple seed inside a Gala apple and decided to try and further sprout it, and it worked. Currently it's potted in soil and about 5- 7 inches tall and I'm really proud how far it has grown, but, there is a fuzzy whiteness all over its leaves and the plant itself. I was lead to believe that it was some type of fungus and I want to get rid of it for the better of my "baby" tree. I don't know what I should do to treat it, and it's only been potted for about half a month-- the fuzz appeared sometime late June/ early July. We had been getting a lot of rain, but not a lot lately. Can you help me solve this?

Answer
Sounds like powdery mildew. Powdery Mildew is the most common disease of apple trees. It is caused by the fungus Podosphaera leucotricha. This fungus frequently infects new vegetative growth, causing reduced vigor,leaf malformation, and reduced viability of buds. Early infection of apple fruitlets results in a weblike russetting on the mature fruit. It may also reduce the vigor of trees and reduce return bloom. Young trees and vigorously growing shoots are the most susceptible. Applications of a fungicide are necessary to prevent secondary spread of the mildew in apples.

Here are the fungicides registered fro powdery mildew control.
These include:

sulfur,

neem oil (Rose Defense, Shield-All, Triact),

triforine (Ortho Funginex), ornamental use only, or

potassium bicarbonate (Kaligreen, First Step)

Chemicals are most effective when combined with cultural controls. Apply fungicides at seven to 14-day intervals to provide continuous protection throughout the growing season. Follow the instructions on the fungicide label for use on specific plant species, varieties, rates to be used, timing of applications, and waiting periods before harvest.

Check with your local nursery for a fungicide for powdery mildew control.