Symptoms
A grey-brown, fluffy coating of mycelium on flowers, fruit, leaves and shoots, preceded by watery, rotting spots. It attacks weakened and damaged tissue and develops rapidly in humidity and cool conditions and where air circulation is poor. Common on strawberries, begonias, peonies and roses.
Treatment
Remove and destroy infected parts (do not compost), improve air movement and reduce humidity. Apply fungicides if needed. Early intervention is key — the disease spreads very quickly.
Prevention
Airy planting spacing (not too dense), watering at the base in the morning rather than the evening, avoiding wetting flowers and fruit, mulching strawberries, and removing plant debris.
Sources
- Atlas of plant diseases
