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Sooty Mold on Gardenias

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Gardenias are prone to black mold.

Gardenias are evergreen shrubs popular as houseplants for their highly scented, creamy white to pale yellow flowers that appear from mid spring to midsummer. Although the plant is prone to sooty mold caused by insect infestation, this problem is simply remedied. Does this Spark an idea?

  1. Cause

    • The sooty mold is the result of a sugary substance secreted by infesting insects including white flies, scale bugs, aphids and mealy bugs. Airborne mold spores are trapped in the secretions and develop into a sooty mold which coats leaf surfaces.

    Effects

    • Gardenia leaves coated in sooty mold are less able to absorb sunlight. Plants use sunlight in a process called photosynthesis to convert light energy into fuel. The reduction in photosynthesis disrupts food production and plant growth.

    Treatments

    • To remedy sooty mold, soak plant leaves with a soap solution spray, and then wipe and rinse with clean water. Insecticide, organic spray treatments or predatory insects such as ladybugs can be employed to control insect populations.

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