Fungal Severity: High ⚠️ Contagious

Gray Mold (Botrytis Blight): Urgent! How to Save Your Plant

Gray mold, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, is a widespread necrotrophic pathogen affecting over 1,400 plant species. It thrives in cool, humid conditions and attacks weakened or aging plant tissues, causing soft rot and characteristic gray fuzzy growth.

Spread speed

Fast

Recovery time

21 days

🔍 Symptoms

Main Symptoms

! Gray, fuzzy mold coating on flowers, leaves, stems, or fruits
! Soft, water-soaked brown lesions that rapidly expand
! Wilting and browning of flower petals
! Cloud of gray spores released when infected parts are disturbed
! Black, hard sclerotia (fungal survival structures) forming under rotted areas
! Ghost spots on fruits - small whitish rings from aborted infections
! Rapid tissue collapse and decay

Visual Signs

Gray, fuzzy mold on plant tissuesSoft, mushy spots on leaves, stems, and flowersBrown, water-soaked lesionsCloud of grayish-white spores when touchedWilting and browning of flowersBlack sclerotia (hard fungal masses) under rotted partsGhost spots on fruits (small whitish rings)

Affected parts: LEAVESStemFlowersFruits

❓ Possible Causes

→ Fungal spores spread by air, water, and contact
→ Free moisture on plant surfaces for 8-12 hours
→ High relative humidity (>93% in canopy)
→ Cool temperatures (55-65°F / 13-18°C)
→ Poor air circulation
→ Dense plant canopies with overlapping foliage
→ Wounded, aging, or stressed plant tissues
→ Overhead watering that keeps foliage wet

💊 Treatment

⚡

Quick Fixes

~11 days

Step 1

Immediately remove all visibly infected plant parts

Step 2

Apply fast-acting systemic fungicide (fenhexamid or similar)

Step 3

Reduce humidity below 85% using dehumidifier or ventilation

Step 4

Move plants to well-ventilated area with good air circulation

Step 5

Stop all overhead watering immediately

Step 6

Apply second fungicide treatment after 7 days

Step 7

Remove any new infections daily for 2 weeks

Step 8

Apply preventive fungicide spray weekly for 3 weeks

Materials needed:

Copper-based fungicideBordeaux mixture70% alcoholPlastic bags

🌿

Organic Treatment

~21 days

Step 1

Isolate infected plants immediately to prevent spore spread

Step 2

Remove all infected tissues (flowers, leaves, stems) using sterilized pruners

Step 3

Apply Bacillus subtilis biological fungicide spray to all plant surfaces

Step 4

Spray neem oil solution (1-2% concentration) covering entire plant

Step 5

Improve air circulation with fans running 12+ hours daily

Step 6

Apply potassium bicarbonate foliar spray weekly

Step 7

Introduce Trichoderma biocontrol agent to soil and leaves

Step 8

Monitor daily and remove any new infections immediately

Step 9

Reapply organic treatments every 5-7 days for 3 weeks

Materials needed:

Baking sodaNeem oilHorsetail extractCinnamon powderSterilized scissorsFan

🔬

Expert Treatment

~32 days

Step 1

Conduct thorough inspection of entire plant collection

Step 2

Document all infected plants and severity levels

Step 3

Immediately isolate infected plants in quarantine area

Step 4

Remove and bag all infected tissues for disposal (not composting)

Step 5

Apply systemic fungicide (fenhexamid) as curative treatment

Step 6

Implement environmental controls: reduce RH to 70-80%, improve airflow

Step 7

Install HEPA air filtration to reduce airborne spores

Step 8

Apply Bacillus subtilis biocontrol 3 days after chemical treatment

Step 9

Implement fungicide rotation program (FRAC codes 17, M5, 1, 2)

Step 10

Apply preventive fungicide to all plants every 7-14 days

Step 11

Install monitoring traps for early detection

Step 12

Remove all plant debris weekly from growing area

Step 13

Sanitize all tools, pots, and surfaces with 10% bleach solution

Step 14

Conduct daily inspections for 30 days

Step 15

Test fungicide sensitivity if disease persists after 2 applications

Step 16

Document all treatments and results for resistance tracking

Step by Step

1
Immediately isolate infected plants from healthy ones
2
Remove and destroy all infected flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits
3
Improve air circulation with fans or by spacing plants
4
Reduce humidity by improving ventilation
5
Stop overhead watering; water only at soil level
6
Apply chosen fungicide treatment according to product label
7
Remove plant debris from soil surface and surrounding area
8
Monitor daily for new infections and remove promptly
9
Reapply fungicides every 7-14 days as preventive measure
10
Continue monitoring for 3-4 weeks after last symptoms

🧪 Solutions

🌱 Natural Solutions

✓ Remove all infected plant parts immediately
✓ Apply neem oil spray (clarified hydrophobic extract)
✓ Use Bacillus subtilis biological fungicide
✓ Apply potassium bicarbonate solution
✓ Spray copper-based organic fungicides
✓ Use Trichoderma or Cladosporium biocontrol agents
✓ Improve air circulation with fans

💉 Chemical Solutions

✓ Apply chlorothalonil fungicide on protective schedule
✓ Use fenhexamid (switch fungicide)
✓ Apply thiophanate-methyl (rotate to prevent resistance)
✓ Use iprodione (rotate with other modes of action)
✓ Apply according to FRAC resistance management guidelines
✓ Rotate fungicide modes of action to prevent resistance

🛡️ Prevention

✓ Ensure excellent air circulation around plants
✓ Space plants adequately to prevent overcrowding
✓ Water at soil level early in the day to allow foliage to dry
✓ Avoid overhead watering during blooming
✓ Remove dead flowers, leaves, and plant debris promptly
✓ Maintain relative humidity below 85% if possible
✓ Provide proper nutrition - avoid excessive nitrogen
✓ Prune dense growth to improve airflow
✓ Quarantine new plants before introducing to collection

🌿 Common in These Plants

Swiss Cheese Plant

Delta Maidenhair Fern

Crimson Cattleya

Noble Dendrobium

Zebra Plant

Nerve Plant

Amaryllis

Japanese Aralia

Kentia Palm

Sweetheart Hoya