Botanical name
Botrytis cinerea
Common name
Grey Mould, Botrytis fungus
Grey Mould identification
Every gardener will encounter Botrytis cinerea (aka Grey Mould) at some point in their gardening life (and quite possibly many times). It is one of the most widespread fungal diseases to attack fruit and vegetable gardens and can affect all plants at any stage of growth at any time of year.
Botrytis cinerea produces sclerotia, a hard mass of fungal structures that can survive and remain dormant in the soil for long periods. When favourable conditions prevail, usually in cooler humid conditions, these will germinate.
Affected plant material becomes soggy and rotten. A grey, furry growth on the surface then appears indicating spore production. The spores are spread rapidly by wind. All above ground plant parts can be affected, especially fruit or plant parts that have already been damaged in some way (perhaps by pests for example).
Dying flowers are often the first to show signs. Grey Mould can also cause spots to appear on leaves and stems. These spots eventually join together causing the destruction of the plant part.
Damage caused
Affected plant parts become covered in a grey, furry mould covering. Fruit can display areas of mushy brown rot . On leaves and stems, yellowish-brown spots can appear which can be seen on both sides of the leaves. Stems and seedlings and break and die off.
Diseased flower buds produce abnormal flowers or they display the mould and simply wither and turn brown.
Plants attacked by Grey Mould
A huge range of plants can be attacked including ornamentals, tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce, peas, grapes, cucumbers… the list goes on and on. Grey Mould is quite often seen on fruit and vegetable plants and can easily destroy whole crops.
Organic pest control
Remove diseased fruit and plant parts immediately. Dispose of this plant matter in a bin. Do not add to your compost. Keep gardening tools sharp and always make sure they are sterile, especially after pruning an affected plant.
Decrease humidity by spacing plants further apart at time of planting or pruning if necessary, thus creating better air flow.
Remove all dead plant material regularly to help prevent the incidence of infection.
