Fungus problem already! Need help.

6 years ago

Hey everyone

You guys may remember may post about the small greenhouse I made. I was told then to be careful to open windows and allow a cross breeze every other day, or so, to keep fungus from becoming a problem. Well I probably haven’t been giving enough fresh air. I noticed this:

This is an Abies firma I was planning to graft onto in the next few days. Notice the cotton like growth on the brown part of the needle. There were a couple places where the fungus was growing on green healthy needles as well.

This is a small Cedrus libani ‘Kenwith’ that I put in the greenhouse to protect from freezing. It has a couple small areas on it like this. The buds seem strong and alive.

Is this stuff I should worry about? And if so how should I treat it? I have Daconil.

Thanks

Featured Answer

User

6 years ago

Hi Jacob.

Mold and fungus spores are present almost everywhere in our environment, nothing you can do about that.

The whole trick is to deny an ideal environment to the spores. No matter what you do you'll find yourself cleaning some kind of mold in out of the way, hard to reach places, like under tables, shelves etc.

Moisture and warmth alone are not the problem and while you cannot get rid of mold completely, you don't want it to run rampant either. So it's a process and one that doesn't end. Keeping your 'facilities' clean is part of the 'job'.

Disinfectants and fungicides generally work on the growing fungus/mold and not necessarily kill the dormant spores, although some kinds will.

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Comments (6)

User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
In my experience with cuttings, any dead/brown material will begin to mold in short order under humid conditions.

I've had white mold begin on my conifer cuttings and used a mild solution of Daconil without problems.

I'd like to hear about this subject myself, from plant authorities, so I'll stop there and see what others have to say about this.

It seems to me you need a little more air exchange. A bathroom type fan on a timer or humidity sensor would go along way and be less bother than remembering to open windows. Wouldn't have to be a large fan, 60-100 cuft/minute. You can get them for around $20 at a Menards or Home Depot or Lowes.

eta: cubic feet, not square ft.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
im no authority .... but maybe you should have sprayed it.. before you took it into your operating room .... as mentioned in my prior posts ...

if you add the fan now ... wont you just blow it all around the house???

but to be clear.. you need the fan ... the air movement ...

ken
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User
6 years ago
I would certainly surmise, this would mean spraying of all plants in the greenhouse, moving them to another location and then thoroughly disinfecting the inside of the structure. Then promptly installing the exhaust fan before reintroducing the plants.

Just scanning the web, these humidity sensors with fan are sold at affordable prices. If you need to have the place wired for electricity, that would add to the cost but in the long run would be worth the money when you consider the convenience of having it.
Jacob Bisharat VA zone 7A/7B
Original Author
6 years ago
Hey Guys

Thanks for the help. I took the few plants with issues out of the greenhouse and just left them outside since it’s been warm. I didn’t spray them or

anything since I wasn’t sure what to do yet. This morning I looked at them and the fungus was gone. I’m leaving the greenhouse open as long as it’s above freezing. I’ll keep an eye on things and if fungus starts on other plants I’ll start spraying. I had already put the plants in before I discovered the need to bleach the interior. I don’t see how I can possibly keep it sterile. Every time I walk in pathogens are on the bottom of my shoes. Being below grade it stays moist in the greenhouse, even with the drain. I‘m working on getting electricity in there. Once I do I’ll look into the fans. Can anyone recommend a good one for a small greenhouse?

I knew I would make mistakes with this greenhouse. I have almost no experience with them, plus mine is sorta a glorified cold frame. So I’m still learning how it’s gonna work and what I need to do to get the most out of it.
Jacob Bisharat VA zone 7A/7B
Original Author
6 years ago
when we get another warm spell, which seems likely these days in VA, I’ll take everything out and bleach the joint😁