Strawberries are a must in any orchard. After all, botanists big and small enjoy the sweet fruit. However, this plant is not completely immune to possible pest or fungal infestation. Fungi such as gray mold are among the most common diseases of strawberry plants.
How do you recognize and combat gray mold on strawberries?
Gray mold is visible through abrown discolorationof the leaves. The fungus passes on to the fruit. It prevents the strawberries from ripening and causes brown spots. Spraying withNettle manure or horsetail decoction leads to the death of the gray mold.
Why does gray mold appear on strawberries?
Gray mold is a fungal disease and is caused by Botrytis cinerea. The fungus is caused bymoisture and cool temperatures in the autumn and winter months. Incorrect fertilization also contributes to the formation of gray mold. Substrates that contain particularly s alt or excessive fertilization also trigger the disease. Therefore, pay attention to a controlled supply of nutrients. Only fertilize your strawberry plant if it shows signs of deficiency. Shortly after planting the strawberries, you should provide them with fertilizer every two weeks.
Are strawberries affected by gray mold edible?
If you discover traces of gray mold or similar diseases on your strawberries, you shoulddo not eat themThe mold spores spread throughout the fruit because it consists largely of water. Simply removing the moldy areas is therefore not advisable. The mold is often invisible. Therefore, also throw away all neighboring strawberries. These are also usually infected. The gray mold spreads quickly and usually affects the entire plant and crop.
How do you protect strawberries from gray mold infestation?
Protection against the uncontrolled spread of gray mold begins with planting. The largest possibledistance between the plants prevents large-scale infestation. Spread some wood shavings or straw on the floor. This protects the fruits from the wet earth. When watering the strawberries regularly, you should prevent waterlogging from forming. In the worst case, this leads to the death of the plant. The excessive and persistent moisture ultimately provides ideal conditions for gray mold to spread.
Tip
Nourishing remedies against gray mold on strawberries
Strawberries need a little care every now and then. However, you should avoid chemical substances and instead use natural remedies. These not only protect the environment, but also your plants. Coffee grounds, eggshells, wood ash and horse manure are considered extremely effective fertilizers. Mix these helpful additives into the plant soil either in March or April.
