When tiny, sticky, tar-like black spots appear on the siding of our home, on outdoor surfaces such windows, railings, and cars, or on the foliage of landscape plants, you might be inclined to think it’s insect droppings or some kind of sap. But the culprit could also very well be the mulch in your yard that is affected by artillery fungus, also known as shotgun or cannonball fungus. It forcefully ejects its mature spores high up in the air, leaving pesky stains.
The good news is that while artillery fungus is a nuisance because it is unsightly, it is not harmful to humans or pets, it does not kill garden plants, nor does it cause any structural damage to the surfaces it lands on.
To get rid of it and prevent it from coming back, it helps to understand what causes artillery fungus as well as its life cycle.
The artillery plant, scientifically known as Pilea microphylla, is an attractive and low-maintenance houseplant. Its delicate leaves clustered together give it a unique appearance. While these tropical-looking plants are quite hardy, they can develop certain diseases that affect their health. As an artillery plant owner, it’s important to learn how to identify and treat common artillery plant diseases. This will allow you to take action promptly and help your plant recover.
In this article, we’ll discuss the most prevalent diseases that impact artillery plants. We’ll go over the symptoms, causes, and effective treatment methods for each condition. With the right knowledge and care techniques, you can keep your artillery plant thriving in your indoor space.
An Overview of Artillery Plants
Before we dive into artillery plant diseases, let’s do a quick rundown of these popular houseplants Pilea microphylla is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America The “artillery” nickname comes from the plant’s unique flowering mechanism. The small green flowers burst open and release pollen that appears like artillery bursting.
These compact perennials thrive indoors in bright indirect light. They prefer average room temperatures between 60-75°F and humid conditions. Pilea enjoys lightly moist soil that drains well. During the growing season use a balanced houseplant fertilizer to nourish your artillery plant.
While these plants are relatively hardy, they are prone to certain common diseases, especially if care conditions are less than ideal. Be on the lookout for any signs of disease and take quick action to resolve issues.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is one of the most prevalent fungal diseases affecting artillery plants. It manifests as a white powdery coating on the leaves and stems. This is caused by microscopic fungal spores that colonize the plant tissues.
Powdery mildew thrives in warm, humid conditions with poor air circulation. As the fungal growth spreads, it can stunt plant growth and cause yellowing or distorted foliage. Left unchecked, powdery mildew can severely impact the health of your artillery plant.
To treat powdery mildew, prune off any infected parts of the plant. Remove and discard fallen leaves to prevent spore spread. Improve air flow around the plant and avoid overhead watering. You can apply neem oil, which has antifungal properties that inhibit powdery mildew. Repeat applications weekly until the infection clears.
Root Rot
Root rot is another common artillery plant disease, often caused by overwatering. As excess moisture accumulates in the soil, it leads to fungal growth that attacks the roots. Symptoms include yellow, wilting leaves and stunted growth as the damaged roots cannot take up water and nutrients effectively.
To treat root rot, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Remove the plant from its pot and discard any dead or diseased roots. Repot the plant in fresh, sterile potting mix. You can drench the roots with a fungicide solution specifically for root rot before repotting. Limit watering to when the top inch of soil is dry.
Botrytis Blight
Botrytis blight, also called gray mold, can affect artillery plants. This fungal disease thrives in cool, humid environments. It appears as light brown lesions on leaves, buds, and stems. A gray fungal growth may occur on the infected tissues.
Improve air circulation around your artillery plant to control botrytis blight. Remove and destroy any infected parts. Apply neem oil or a suitable fungicide to protect healthy plant tissues. Keep leaves dry to discourage fungal growth.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot disease causes distinct dark spots on artillery plant leaves. These spots may have yellow halos and the centers may appear water-soaked. Over time, the lesions can grow larger and cause the leaves to yellow and fall off.
Leaf spot is generally caused by overwatering and poor drainage. Space out watering to allow the soil to partially dry out between irrigation. Remove and destroy severely infected leaves. Apply neem oil to protect healthy foliage from infection. Ensure the plant has good airflow.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is another common fungal disease of artillery plants. It’s characterized by brown, sunken lesions on leaves, shoots, and stems. In humid conditions, pink spore masses may form in the center of lesions.
To treat anthracnose, remove and destroy affected plant parts. Apply a copper-based fungicide to protect healthy tissues. Ensure proper air circulation around the artillery plant and avoid wetting the foliage. Water early in the day so leaves can dry out.
Bacterial Leaf Spot
Bacterial leaf spot causes small, water-soaked spots on the leaves that eventually turn brown. The spots may be surrounded by yellow halos. In severe cases, it can defoliate the plant.
Bacterial diseases cannot be treated with fungicides. Remove infected leaves and increase air circulation. Disinfect your pruning shears between cuts to prevent spread. Avoid overhead watering and allow soil to dry out between irrigations.
Fusarium Wilt
This fungal disease causes artillery plant leaves to yellow and wilt. The foliage may also show signs of necrosis (browning or death). Lower leaves are affected first before upper leaves.
Fusarium wilt is difficult to control once established. Remove and destroy infected plants immediately to prevent spread. Avoid planting other susceptible plants in the same location. Disinfect tools and pots after use on infected plants.
Prevention Is Key
The best way to tackle artillery plant diseases is prevention. Always inspect new plants closely before bringing them home. Quarantine gift plants away from your existing collection. Provide proper lighting, humidity, air circulation, and moisture levels for your artillery plant. Fertilize and prune appropriately to encourage strong growth. Taking these basic preventive steps will help keep your artillery plant healthy and thriving for years to come!
Frequency of Entities:
common artillery plant diseases how to identify and treat: 1
artillery plant: 18
leaves: 12
powdery mildew: 5
root rot: 4
botrytis blight: 3
leaf spot: 3
anthracnose: 2
bacterial leaf spot: 2
fusarium wilt: 2
soil: 5
watering: 5
fungal: 4
air circulation: 4
neem oil: 3
fungicide: 3
What Is Artillery Fungus?
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Artillery fungus (Sphaerobulus stellatus) is a fungus that develops on rotting wood in a moist environment. What makes it unique is the way it shoots its spores into the air after so much liquid has built up in its mature fruiting bodies that they burst open. Mature black spores, 1-2 mm in diameter, are propelled by internal force toward strong light about five hours later. They can land up to 20 feet away, preferably on light-colored surfaces. The spores have a sticky coating which makes them adhere to anything they land on.
If you are unsure if it’s artillery fungus, inspect the spots with a magnifying glass. The spores of artillery fungus are globe-shaped and when you scratch the outer dark brown coating open, you’ll see a whitish, finely granular, gummy-like center.
What Causes Artillery Fungus?
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The fungus is found mainly in wood chip mulch but also in decaying fallen trees and other rotting wood as well as in animal dung. It needs sunlight and moisture to grow. Artillery fungus mainly occurs in cool spring and fall weather in a temperature range between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The fruiting bodies won’t develop in weather above 78 degrees.
Identifying and Treating Common Plant Diseases
FAQ
How to treat artillery fungus plants?
How to identify artillery fungus?
Can you get rid of artillery fungus?
What fungicide kills artillery fungus?
How do you care for an artillery plant?
The Artillery Plant is generally easy to care for, but like all plants, it can encounter pests, diseases, and common problems. Spider Mites: These tiny pests can be identified by the fine webs they weave on the plant. They cause yellowing or speckled leaves. Increase humidity around the plant and wash it with a strong stream of water.
Is artillery fungus harmful to plants?
There are slim chances the fungus will occur on cedar or pine bark mulch. It produces some peridioles which are cup-shaped and have some fruiting bodies, causing the fungus to spread further. There is no solid evidence to suggest that artillery fungus holds any toxicity levels or is harmful to plants.
Are artillery plants poisonous?
Uses: The Artillery Plant is used as an ornamental plant in rock gardens, terrariums, and as a ground cover in warm climates. It’s also popular as a houseplant due to its adaptability and ease of care. Toxicity: Pilea microphylla is considered non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for households.
What is an artillery plant?
It’s also known for the explosive pollen discharge from its minuscule flowers, earning it the nickname “Artillery Plant.” Native: This plant is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, where it thrives in warm, humid conditions. It belongs to the nettle family (Urticaceae) and is part of a diverse genus with over 600 species.