Botrytis Blight

If left untreated, blight can cause rapid dispersal and possibly death of the plant. Use Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide to ensure your plants are healthy all season long.

So ... What is Botrytis Blight?

Botrytis Blight, which is sometimes known as gray mold, is a fungal disease. Blight is a rapid and complete chlorosis or yellowing and then death of plant tissues. The yellowing is due to a failure to develop chlorophyll, caused by a nutrient deficiency. There are several types of Botrytis Blight and the most common forms thrive in cool rainy weather.

Characteristics

Typically Botrytis Blight is brown or spotted plant “dust” that may have silver spores on the dead or dying tissue. It can affect any part of the plant except the roots. While this can be a deathly disease for plants, you can ensure the long term health of your plant by using a product, such as Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide, to treat blight on first appearance.

Symptoms of Botrytis Blight Damage

Plants infected with Botrytis Blight can have any of the following symptoms (depending on the plant species).

• Leaf spots or blights (brown dying tissue)
• Cankers (bumps) or Shoot Blights
• Bud Blast – withering or dropping of buds from otherwise healthy plants
• Flower Blights
• Fruit or Bulb Rot or end rot

Plants That Are Susceptible to Botrytis Blight

Many types of plants can be affected but some of the most common include:

• Flowering plants
• Ornamentals
• Fruits & Vegetables

Blight can ruin an entire season for your harvest if untreated. Using a product such as Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide will eliminate the blight and keep your plants healthy throughout the season.

Botrytis Blight Controls

What?

Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide can kill existing Botrytis Blight on contact and control future outbreaks.

How?

Sulfur or Copper fungicides change the pH balance of the plant, creating an environment where botrytis blight and other fungal blights cannot thrive.

Most solutions help with disease control because when the soil is healthy, (and not full of harmful chemicals) there is a never-ending battle between the good microbes and the pathogens and the microbes often win.

Carefully read and follow all instructions on the product packaging for positive results. It is recommended with any pesticides to test plants for sensitivity to the product. Spray a small section of the plant in an inconspicuous area and wait 24 hours before full coverage.

IMPORTANT: Do not use products containing Neem Oil within 14 days of applying Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide. The mix of both products can greatly increase risk of phototoxicity (burning) to your plant.

When

Spray Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide when you notice the symptoms of botrytis blight and then again as needed in 7 to 10 day increments. As a general rule, much like watering, do not use these products in the peak of the day or when temperatures exceed 90 degrees F to avoid wilting or browning of the leaves.

Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide can also be used as a preventative measure against fungal infections because the Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide changes the pH of the plant and creates an environment that is not conducive to disease growth. Treatment once a month is recommended but in heavy rain seasons, treat every 7 to 10 days for best results.

Why Choose a Solution?

Using solutions in your garden is an important step in controlling diseases such as botrytis blight.

Some ingredients, like the patented seaweed extract in Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide, actively increase a plant’s resistance to disease because it is a root growth stimulator, controlling many types of plant pathogens through increased biological activity. This is what many gardening experts refer to when they talk about the natural defenses of a plant and it is similar to antibodies in a human immune system.

Treating an infected plant with a fungicide such as Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide is treating a symptom of the bigger problem. Keeping the living organism in the soil protected by using organic products is not only good for the global environment; it also helps protect your plants from further outbreaks and other issues like insects.

Limit Botrytis Blight Outbreaks With These Garden Tips

Soil

Make sure the soil around your plant is properly drained. Without proper drainage, your planting area can be a ripe breeding ground for disease organisms.

Compost

Adding materials through composting will generate beneficial microorganism activity which fights away disease and other garden problems.

Maintenance

Botrytis Blight thrives in wet and humid climates. Do not water plants from the top, water the roots. To promote rapid drying, space plants out to allow good air flow.

Remove all diseased leaves and those that are faded or bright yellow throughout the season and once before winter. Remove all diseased leaves and canes from the plant and surrounding areas.

Special instructions for peonies: Avoid the use of dense, wet mulches and apply the first application of Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide in early spring just as the red shoots begin to push up out of the ground.

Special instructions for tulips: Cut and remove fading flowers before petals fall and cut and remove foliage at ground level when it yellows. Apply the first application of Safer^® Brand Garden Fungicide when leaves are four inches high.