Controlling Gray Mold in the Garden

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Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of plants are susceptible to attack by gray mold, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

“Gray mold can kill flower parts, leaves, buds, shoots, seedlings, and fruits,” said James Schuster. “Herbaceous plants and woody plants can be attacked. The disease is not host specific.

“The disease needs moisture as one of its criteria for infection. The wetter it is the more gray mold shows up on plants. Not only are the numbers of infected areas increased but so are the number of plants attacked as well as the severity of the infections.”

Schuster noted that gray mold is sometimes confused with old age and thrip damage. To help determine whether browning on petals is caused by old age or gray mold, check the petals closely.

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