When you see gray mold on your plants, it’s normal to feel a little anxious. But don’t worry —this fungal disease is easily treated with a combination of organic and natural methods.
Gray mold, also known as botrytis blight, is a type of fungus that can badly affect some plants [1]. If left untreated, it can even kill the young seedlings of many crops.
This guide will teach you how to identify this mold and get rid of it using home remedies and natural methods.
Identification
Botrytis mold can affect many types of plants (vegetables, trees, flowers, and even soft fruits). The fungus can spread quickly around your garden. This plant disease is also a common issue with houseplants.
It is caused by a type of fungus known as Botrytis cinerea and thrives in moist environments [2]. You may find grey mould on the soil surface and on plants.
It’s not just the presence of moisture that encourages grey mold to grow, but also the lack of air circulation.
Plants Commonly Affected By Gray Mold
Whether you live in an area prone to botrytis gray mold or not, you should know some of the common plants that it might affect. This way, you’re able to act quickly if you notice any symptoms.
Plants like begonias, calendula, snapdragons, peonies, petunias, cannabis, and zinnias are particularly vulnerable to gray mold.
Some vegetables and fruits are also susceptible. Tomatoes, asparagus, strawberries, and peppers can be affected by it, as can apples, pears, and other fruit plants.
The good news is that even if this fungus ends up affecting your plant, there is hope of saving it with some natural remedies.
How to Get Rid of Gray Mold Naturally
If you observe any signs of gray mould growing on your plants, it’s crucial that you act fast and treat the problem before it spreads to other plants in your garden. The longer you wait, the worse things can get!
Below are the best natural ways to tackle the problem:
1. Prune or Stake Plants
If you’ve noticed that the affected plants are leaning over or falling apart, it’s time to get out the pruners. Pruning and staking can help reduce humidity in your garden, allowing the plants to dry off quicker and reducing the potential for mold growth.
For staking, tie up your plants securely with soft twine or garden tape. Make sure that you don’t tie them so tightly that they start bending.
Pruning should be done with a sharp pair of pruners, removing any dead or decaying stems, branches, or leaves.
You might even want to cut away all infected parts of the plant, as this will prevent mold from spreading to healthy parts of your plant.
Both staking and pruning will help provide better air circulation in your garden, which can help reduce humidity and stop mold from growing. Plus, both of these activities will improve the overall health of your plants as well!
2. Onion Juice
Here’s one home remedy you may not be familiar with: onion juice! The sulfur content in onions is thought to help keep bugs away. However, the juice also contains antifungal properties [3].
To use onion juice for mold control, simply blend some onions and then strain off the liquid. You can then use a spray bottle to apply it directly to the mold in your bathroom and other areas of your home.
You can also mix equal parts of onion juice and water and spray it as an all-purpose fungicide for your plants.
3. Neem Oil
This treatment could be a possible solution for those looking for a natural botrytis blight treatment. Neem oil can fight against certain fungal disease issues, including this one.
To apply, mix one teaspoon of neem oil with one quart of water in a spray bottle and apply it directly to the affected area.
Use this DIY botrytis fungicide every few days until you start seeing results.
4. Rake Up Fallen Debris
One way to reduce the severity of mold on your plants is to rake up any fallen debris that may be lying around them.
This includes dropped fruits, leaves, and twigs. By clearing these away, you’ll be reducing the possibility of mold spores spreading.
5. Reduce Humidity
When it comes to getting rid of any kind of mold, reducing humidity levels is key.
Molds can’t survive without water or moisture, so cutting down on the amount of moisture in the air is a great way to keep the problem under control.
Reducing humidity doesn’t have to be hard—try opening windows and ventilation points when you water your plants, and do not overcrowd your plants.
Allowing light to come in can help reduce dampness as well. You can also try using a humidifier if you live in an area with naturally high humidity levels.
If you have a lot of potted plants, invest in self-watering pots, which will reduce the amount of moisture buildup around the roots.
6. Garlic Spray
You can make a spray with garlic and some water to help treat gray mold on plants.
Just blend 3 bulbs of garlic in a quart of water. Strain and use the solution to fill a spray bottle. Finally, spray the mixture on your plants.
The garlic water will help kill botrytis blight and other fungal and mildew infestations.
7. Keep Plants Dry
One of the best ways to prevent gray mold is to make sure your plants stay dry. This means watering them properly and not overwatering them.
If the leaves are wet for an extended period of time, it creates the perfect environment for gray mold to grow.
8. Space Plants Properly
Another thing you can do to help discourage botrytis blight is to make sure your plants have enough space to breathe.
Molds thrive in humid environments. Therefore, giving your plants plenty of space will help lower the humidity levels and make the environment less hospitable for mold.
9. Remove Infected Plants Immediately
In some cases, removing infected plants from your garden may be the only way to truly eliminate gray mold. If you find an infected plant, it is important to remove it from your garden quickly before it has a chance to spread.
Also, make sure to take any soil containing fungal spores along with the plant so that it does not spread further. It is also important not to reuse the soil where the infected plant was growing.
10. Cueva
Next up in the quest to control botrytis mold is Cueva, an organic liquid copper fungicide.
It has been known to effectively combat grey mold as well as other plant diseases like powdery mildew, shot hole, and peach leaf curl.
What’s great about Cueva is that it can be used on almost any plant – herbs, fruit and nut crops, vegetables, annuals, and perennials alike. And since it’s OMRI-listed, you don’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals being added to your garden.
11. Arber Bio Protectant
Arber Bio Protectant works by encouraging the plant to protect itself. It helps strong and healthy plants stay healthy. It’s also effective against bacterial speck and black rot.
12. BotryStop
BotryStop is a biofungicide that works as a preventative treatment to control gray mold and other plant pathogens.
To use it, carefully follow the instructions that come with your purchase.
13. CEASE
This product is a contact biological fungicide that targets fungal diseases such as Botrytis and Anthracnose.
CEASE is designed to kill gray mold on plants without harming the environment or introducing any toxic elements into your plants.
Takeaway
If you have gray mold on your plants, be sure to take action quickly. The longer you wait, the more damage it’s likely to do. Try one of these natural remedies or products and see if it works for you.
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