Caring for plants is like nurturing a child from infancy to adulthood. Luckily for succulent enthusiasts, succulent care is not that demanding. Succulents are famous for being low-maintenance; even forgetting to water them for a couple of days is not a big deal.
However, natural conditions such as cold weather and pests can bring about diseases like molds that bring great damage to succulents.
Common Types of Mold on Succulents
1. Sooty mold or black mood
Sooty mold or black mold (Capnodium citri) is considered the least damaging among the fungi that afflict succulents. Sooty mold growth is usually caused by the presence of aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and scales. These pests excrete a sugary substance called honeydew that sooty mold feeds on.
Symptoms of sooty mold on succulents
You will know that sooty mold is invading your plants if the twigs, branches, and leaves are covered with grimy, black soot. You will also notice the presence of pests like aphids and scales. Plants that are more prone to pest problems are at higher risk of sooty mold growth.
Treatment of sooty mold on succulents
To eliminate sooty mold, you have to get rid of the pests. Spray the affected plants with a high pressure water sprayer or use isopropyl rubbing alcohol or neem oil. While sooty mold does not create any imminent damage, it can make the photosynthesis process arduous if there are large colonies.
2. Grey mold
Grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) is easily identifiable. It is characterized by grayish-brown spore masses on succulent leaves and flowers. This type of mold spreads like wildfire during cold weather, especially in early spring or summer, and favors damaged or dying plant tissues.
Symptoms of grey mold on succulents
Grey mold causes tip dieback or damping-off among young plants. You will notice elliptical, water-soaked lesions that eventually expand, encircle, and kill the plants. Infections in the leaves usually start at the point of injury and expand into V-shaped lesions, giving your plants soft, grayish-colored, mushy spots.
Most stem and leaf lesions may be covered with sporulating gray mycelia (the vegetative part of the fungus).
Treatment of grey mold on succulents
To treat your plants afflicted with this mold, use fungicides, especially during the early stages. However, it may not be too effective if there is already a widespread infection. What you can do is to cut off the affected areas and burn them. Do not water your plants from the top and do not leave stubs if taking cuttings to avoid reinfection.
3. White mold
White mold in succulents is aptly called powdery mildew (Golovinomyces orontii). There are around 700 species of this fungus worldwide, and it is easy to identify. Plants have various levels of susceptibility to this mold. It develops in moderate temperatures and in low humid environments.
Symptoms of powdery mildew/white mold in succulents
Succulents infected with white mold look like they are dusted with a white or gray powdery coating. The infection usually starts with circular, powdery white spots on the stems and leaves. The spots then turn yellow-brown, and eventually become black. The plants start to have distorted leaves until they become wilted and eventually die.
White mold can take away your plants’ nutrients, making them bloom less and slower to grow. If the infection becomes widespread, it can kill your plants.
Treatment for white mold on succulents
- Baking soda
Baking soda raises the pH level of plants, creating an alkaline environment that eradicates fungus. Simply mix one tablespoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of liquid hand soap into one gallon of water. Mix well and spray the solution on affected leaves and plant parts, disposing of any remaining solution.
Make sure to apply it only during the night time since it could cause sunburn on the plants.
- Neem oil
Neem oil comes from the seeds and fruit of the evergreen neem tree and is effective in killing powdery mildew in less than a day. It disrupts the plant’s metabolism, thereby stopping spore production. Simply mix one tablespoon of neem oil with one gallon of water and spray the affected areas every one to two weeks.
Take extra caution so the plants won’t suffer sunburn. Do not spray the buds and flowers.
- Garlic
Garlic works best for fungal diseases when added to organic oil mixtures. Crush at least six cloves of garlic, then add one ounce of neem oil and one ounce of rubbing alcohol. Let the mixture sit for two days. Strain it, but retain the crushed garlic along with the liquid.
Add the oil and alcohol mixture as well as the crushed garlic to one gallon of water. Spray the affected plants but make sure to coat only the leaves.
Other preventative measures to get rid of powdery mildew
- Do not water the succulents from overhead to reduce humidity.
- Sanitize your pruning and garden tools.
- Cut off the affected leaves and clean any fallen debris on the ground.
- Water the plants in the morning so they will have a chance to dry off during the day.
- Do not place susceptible succulents into shady or humid areas.
- Avoid applying chemicals to the plants as much as possible.
- Do not over-fertilize your succulents.
- Always use healthy planting stocks.
- See to it that the soil drains properly; moist soil attracts disease-causing organisms.
Conclusion
Succulents are lovely plants that do not need much care and attention. However, they can also fall prey to pests and diseases. Fungal infections brought about by sooty mold, grey mold, and powdery mildew on succulents can occur because of low temperatures or pest infestations.
Early detection can save your succulents, and treating them with organic materials like a baking soda mixture can help bring the plants back to normal condition.
Image: istockphoto.com / JNemchinova