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Botrytis gray mold
IDENTIFICATION — Botrytis gray mold usually appears during cool, wet weather in spring as small, wet-looking spots on tender new flower buds and blossoms. But it can spread to leaves and stems, as it has on these tulips. Even fruits can be damaged. The spots grow larger and are often covered with gray fuzz.
DAMAGE — Almost any plant can be stricken with botrytis gray mold. Flower buds don’t open, fruits are spoiled and the plant is weakened by the disease.
CONTROL — Wind and rain spread the spores. So grow plants where air moves freely and don’t wet flowers or foliage when you water. Bury infected plant parts 18 to 24 in. deep — don’t put them in your compost pile. Several fungicides, including Maneb and Dicloran, are effective against botrytis gray mold.
