As a proud artillery plant parent, few things are more distressing than noticing moldy fuzz growing on your beloved plant baby Mold can quickly overtake an artillery plant, covering its stems and leaves in a layer of gross gray or black growth. Not only is it an eyesore, but mold can also harm your plant if left uncontrolled
The good news is mold on artillery plants is treatable if caught early. With some TLC and mold-busting effort you can get your artillery plant back to its beautiful self in no time. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to banish mold for good!
What Causes Mold on Artillery Plants?
Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand what causes mold growth on artillery plants in the first place. The main factors are:
-
Excess Moisture – Mold thrives in damp environments. Overwatering and poor drainage provide ideal conditions.
-
Lack of Airflow – Stagnant, still air enables mold colonies to grow undisturbed.
-
High Humidity – Just like moisture, humid conditions nourish mold growth. Grouping plants too close together raises humidity.
-
Poor Sanitation – Decaying plant matter and unclean tools harbor mold spores.
-
Contaminated Soil – Introducing mold spores via infected potting mix leads to spread.
Armed with this knowledge, we can take the right steps to make our artillery plants less mold-prone.
6 Methods to Destroy Artillery Plant Mold
When mold is detected on your artillery plant, taking swift action is key. Use these techniques to kick mold to the curb:
1. Isolate the Plant
Quarantine the affected artillery plant away from other plants to prevent mold spore spread. Keep it solo until the issue is gone.
2. Increase Air Circulation
More airflow discourages mold growth by reducing humidity levels and drying out the plant. Set up a fan to keep air moving.
3. Adjust Watering Habits
Letting the soil get too soggy promotes mold, so allow it to dry out more between waterings. Remove any standing water too.
4. Prune Affected Parts
Carefully trim off any moldy leaves, stems and roots using clean, sterilized shears. Discard the clippings immediately.
5. Use Fungicidal Sprays
For moderate mold, apply specialty anti-fungal sprays made for houseplants. Follow all label instructions carefully.
6. Try DIY Remedies
Homemade sprays using hydrogen peroxide, neem oil or cinnamon can help zap mold without chemicals. Test them on small sections first.
Keep Mold Away with Preventive Care
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to artillery plant mold. Be proactive with these habits:
-
Let soil dry out between waterings
-
Ensure pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging
-
Give plants space for airflow
-
Remove dead leaves/debris
-
Sterilize shears and gardening tools
-
Inspect new plants closely before bringing home
-
Monitor indoor humidity levels
-
Add a fan for air circulation
With vigilance and prompt action at the first sign of mold, you can keep your artillery plant mold-free for good. No more worrying about losing your plant to fuzzy mold colonies! Just healthy, vibrant greenery. Give your artillery plant the environment it needs to thrive mold-free for years of enjoyment.
OK, I am going to remove my old, infested mulch. But, what do I do with it?
The best thing to do is probably bag it in a biodegradable bag and take it to a landfill. At least the mulch is organic and will rot away. Make sure you dont put the infested mulch somewhere where you could be held responsible for someone elses artillery fungus problem. This is out of my field, but it has been suggested that the infested mulch could be put in a yard waste-composting facility. But you really need to ask this question to a “compost expert.”
Will used “mushroom compost” suppress the artillery fungus?
Used mushroom compost, also known as “mushroom soil,” “spent mushroom substrate (SMS),” and even “black gold” is a great product, if you live in an area where you can get it! Mushroom compost has many beneficial aspects for gardeners, one which is that it supports micro-organisms that inhibit many unwanted pest fungi. Mushroom compost is pasteurized before it is used to grow mushrooms, and then the used compost is pasteurized again when it leaves the mushroom house, so it should not contain weed seeds. Our research at Penn State has shown that blending used mushroom compost with a landscape mulch at about 40% will greatly suppress artillery fungus sporulation. Mushroom compost is very “green” and environmentally friendly.
Get Rid of Artillery Fungus On Houseplants – What It Is & How to Remove It!
FAQ
How do you get rid of artillery mold?
How to treat artillery fungus on plants?
What is the best cleaner for artillery fungus?
What causes artillery mold?
How do I get rid of artillery fungus?
That is, you cannot beat the artillery fungus (at this time), so manage it. Use mulches that the artillery fungus doesn’t like, such as large pine bark nuggets. Then, put down a fresh layer of mulch each year – we have no evidence for this, but yearly applications of layers of mulch really seem to inhibit the artillery fungus.
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.
How do you get rid of artillery fungus in mulch?
It is recommended that old mulch is raked to expose the spores to light and dry out the material, or 3 inches (8 cm.) of new mulch added over the old to suffocate the spores of artillery fungus in mulch. There is no recommended artillery fungus treatment.
What is artillery fungus?
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.