How to Remove Black Mold on a Plant
Black mold or "sooty mold" on plants is a fungal disease caused by honeydew-secreting insects. The insects, usually aphids, scale, whiteflies or mealybugs, secrete a clear, sticky liquid on the plant’s foliage. The black mold spores then stick to the honeydew and grow on the plant. To eliminate sooty mold on your plant, you must eliminate the insects at the root of the problem. Between the feeding honeydew insects and the black mold covering the plant, the sooty mold disease can kill the plant if left untreated.
Spray the plant with a stream of water from a garden hose to wash off insects and the honeydew.
Wipe the plant’s leaves and stems with a clean, damp sponge to remove all the sticky honeydew and mold growth.
- Black mold or "sooty mold" on plants is a fungal disease caused by honeydew-secreting insects.
- The black mold spores then stick to the honeydew and grow on the plant.
Spray the plant with an appropriate insecticide for the specific honeydew-secreting insect. Follow the application instructions on the label.
Treat the plant with an approved fungicide if the mold returns. You may need to perform more than one application, so follow instructions on the label.
Spray your plant with a dormant oil in late winter or early spring, just before the new growth begins. The dormant oil will help eliminate any over-wintering aphid eggs on the plant.
Tip
If you have honeydew-secreting insects on your plants, you also may see honeydew and sooty mold on your outdoor furniture, deck umbrellas or awnings. To clean away the black mold and honeydew from plastic or painted surfaces, scrub them with a mixture of 1 quart of household bleach, 1/3 cup of powdered detergent and 3 quarts of water.
You can also eradicate aphid populations by introducing natural predators such as ladybugs or parasitic wasps.
Warning
Always wear gloves, eye protection and a respiratory mask when handling and applying insecticides or other chemicals.
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Tips
- If you have honeydew-secreting insects on your plants, you also may see honeydew and sooty mold on your outdoor furniture, deck umbrellas or awnings. To clean away the black mold and honeydew from plastic or painted surfaces, scrub them with a mixture of 1 quart of household bleach, 1/3 cup of powdered detergent and 3 quarts of water.
- You can also eradicate aphid populations by introducing natural predators such as ladybugs or parasitic wasps.
Warnings
- Always wear gloves, eye protection and a respiratory mask when handling and applying insecticides or other chemicals.
Writer Bio
Sarah Terry brings over 10 years of experience writing novels, business-to-business newsletters and a plethora of how-to articles. Terry has written articles and publications for a wide range of markets and subject matters, including Medicine & Health, Eli Financial, Dartnell Publications and Eli Journals.
