What Does Fungus Look Like On Houseplants
The fungus on houseplants appears as dark brown to black spots on both the upper and lower sides of the leaves. These dark and irregular spots merge and cover the whole leaf surface .
Different fungal infections appear additional on various host plants. For example, it seems yellow to pale green, tan, reddish, and brown. In other host plants, the fungus on infested plants appears as white powdery masses of spores that are ready to spread over other healthy plants.
Donât Miss: Are At Home Gel Nail Kits Safe
Chamomile Tea Is A Cure
Its a little-known fact that chamomile tea has antibacterial and fungicidal properties that will aid plants suffering from fungus and mildew. I often make a simple brew for my sickly plants. Place 16 chamomile tea bags in 2 quarts of water, and simmer for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, and allow the tea bags to steep for several hours. Strain, if using driedflowers. Use the tea to irrigate tender seedlings to prevent damping off, or use as a foliar spray to battle diseases on plants. Because I never let anything go to waste, I also add leftover tea and used tea bags to my watering can.
Identification Of Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnat larvae, source: BugWoodWiki
Gardeners first notice fungus gnats because they fly around your head while you are tending plants. The adult is a small, delicate, mosquito-like fly, about 1/8 in size, with one pair of clear wings. They are not strong fliers and usually dont venture too far from the plants.
You might also notice the larvae in the soil, but this is quite small and usually stays underground. It has a black head and a whitish transparent body.
You May Like: What Is The Best Long Lasting Nail Polish
Read Also: Pink And White Acrylic Nails
Fungus Gnats Which Home Remedies Actually Work
Check out social media gardening groups and you will find at least one post a day asking about a remedy for fungus gnats. They are perceived to be a huge problem with seedlings and other indoor plants. How do you get rid of them?
There is also a lot of advice online, but much of it is incorrect. Lets swat some myths about fungus gnats.
Fungus Gnats Which Home Remedies Actually Work? Source: Andy Murray
Garlic Helps Thwart Noxious Diseases
For plants with a fungal, viral, or bacterial disease, cook up a batch of what I call garlic soup. Puree two cloves of garlic in a blender for a minute. Slowly add 1 quart of water, and continue blending for about six minutes. Strain the mixture, and add 1/8 teaspoon of liquid soap. Pour the liquid into a storage container and cover tightly. When youre ready to take action, mix 1 part garlic soup with 10 parts water into a spray bottle and apply the mixture to the top and undersides of your sick plants leaves, taking caution not to spray beneficial insects and larvae. Scientists have discovered that garlic leaves are potent in their own right, so you can also puree two handfuls of leaves instead of using cloves.
Recommended Reading: Nail Salon Near Bravo Supermarket
Recommended Reading: How Can I Get Rid Of Fungus
How Does Powdery Mildew Hurt Your Plants
Compared to many viruses powdery mildew might not seem like the most detrimental virus. Powdery mildew doesnt have any negative effects on your plants except for one very significant way.
Powdery mildew blocks leaves from completing photosynthesis, and the less energy your plant has, the less likely it is to produce viable fruit. Not only that, but since powdery mildew spreads extremely fast, it can quickly overtake the entire plant and prevent it from getting enough photosynthesis to simply survive.
To make matters worse, since it spreads via airborne particles it quickly infests every single plant in your garden. So, while those small white spots on a single pumpkin plant might not seem like much now, if you leave them alone for too long then they can quickly take over your garden and ruin the entire harvest.
Recommended Reading: Gummy Hair Skin Nails Vitamins
Controlling And Preventing Powdery Mildew
Donât Miss: Best Nail Polish For Home Manicure
Don’t Miss: Why Are My Nails So Brittle
Concept Of Fungal Infections In Ayurveda
The skin disorders in Ayurveda have been classified under the broad heading Kushtha, which are further classified into mahakushtha and kashudrakushtha.
According to all Ayurvedic texts, fungal infections are classified under the aegis of Dadrukushta. The reddish coloured pidaka in the form of mandala with elevated borders and itching is defined as Dadru in Ayurveda.
Improper food habits, wrong lifestyle, mental stress and tension, unhygienic practices etc. are some of the reasons of fungal infections according to Ayurveda.
Sodium And Potassium Bicarbonate
Researchers have been testing the effectiveness of baking soda as a fungicide since the early 1930s and found that it is ineffective as a fungicide on plants, although it can inhibit the growth of molds in the lab.
According to Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology and Extension Specialist at Washington State University, it may be useful for keeping harvested fruits and vegetables from rotting.
But we cant recommend it as a treatment for powdery mildew.
Arbico Organics sells Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide, a low-concentration copper octanoate spray. This is a form of copper that is bound to a soap.
The ready-to-use formulation hooks up to your hose, and then you spray it on your plants. It is most effective if you apply it preventively, similar to sulfur.
If your plant is infected, apply copper as soon as you notice symptoms, and repeat every seven to 10 days. Make sure to spray both the tops and undersides of leaves, and reapply if it rains.
Rated as slightly toxic by the EPA, be sure to follow product instructions closely, cover exposed skin, and avoid contact with your eyes or inhalation when applying this product.
Copper is toxic to fish, so do not use near ponds or streams.
Don’t Miss: How To Treat Nail Fungi
Treat Plant Fungus With Baking Soda Like A Pro
If your plant has been attacked with mildew then it becomes very difficult to completely eradicate it. But you can use this simple remedy on your green plants â that are or have been affected with mildew and other fungus issues.
Take one gallon of water, one- half teaspoon of liquid soap and one tablespoon of baking soda. Make sure to use it immediately and not to store it somewhere. Keep a check on the amount of liquid soap that you add to the mixture. A portion of horticultural oil is advised to be added into this mixture. As this oil will help the mixture to stick to the leaves and suffocate the fungus. Thereby, killing it eventually. Make sure it is not too much otherwise the leaves of the plants can get accidentally burned up.Do not pour the mixture when the plant is exposed to full sunlight. Before application of this mixture to your plants, water it for a few days.Start by pouring the mixture partially to check whether your plant reacts or not. Then apply it to its other parts.
Donât Miss: How To Set Gel Nail Polish
What Causes White Fungus On Plants
This fungus disease forms on plants under the following conditions:
- Dry plant foliage.
Some examples of vegetables and fruits affected by this disease are cucumbers, pumpkins, peppers, tomatoes, grapes, and parsley. Others include pawpaw, apples, melons, strawberries, lettuce, and potatoes.
Note: This list is not all-inclusive. So, you must check your plants regularly for signs of white fungus growth.
Read Also: What Causes Dry Hair And Brittle Nails
You May Like: How To Take Off Color Street Nails
Mow The Lawn Regularly
This cannot be stressed enough.
Cutting the grass regularly is by far the most important part of maintaining a healthy lawn.
With regular cutting, the grass cant grow upwards so is forced to grow sideways, creating new roots, shoots and leaves.
Grass leaves are like solar panels that trap sunlight which it uses to create and store food. The more grass in the lawn, the healthier and more resistant to diseases it will be.
You May Like: How To Treat Nail Fungus On Fingernails
Common Lawn Fungal Diseases
There are quite a few fungal diseases that can impact lawns, but theyre usually pretty specialized, targeting specific lawn types, at certain times of year, under certain conditions. For example:
- Brown patch strikes during hot, humid weather.
- Fusarium blight prefers hot, drought conditions.
- Dollar spot tends to spring up when nights are cool and dew is heavy.
Before treating your lawn, its important to identify not only whether your lawn indeed has a fungal disease, but to identify the fungus itself.
All fungicides arent the same, and some diseases can be easily treated by making changes in your lawn care.
Knowing your grass type and recent weather conditions can make it easier to narrow down, but you may need help in figuring out exactly whats going on.
Your local cooperative extension center is your best resource for determining which diseases are most common in your area, or you can take a small baggie of the infected grass to your local garden center for help.
Also Check: Whats Gel Nail Polish
Also Check: How To Effectively Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
What Are The Best Home Remedies For Gnats
Having a few stray gnats in your house can quickly explode into an annoying swarm in a matter of a few days. These flying insects can damage your houseplants and cause you a great deal of frustration as you try to deal with the pesky gnats.
If they arent dealt with when they make their presence first known, the gnat problem will only get worse. If you are dealing with a gnat infestation, youll want to learn how to get rid of gnats in the house with home remedies.
How To Tell If Your Lawn Has Fungus
The most important step when you spot fungus or another problem on your lawn is to correctly identify the specific type of disease thats present. Different lawn issues have different causes and symptoms, and treating your grass for the wrong thing could only lead to more damage not to mention, youll still have to deal with the original issues. Before you invest in a treatment, therefore, take the time to closely examine the issue or better yet, get a professional to identify the disease so you know exactly what youre dealing with and choose the right treatment the first time.
There are a number of signs to watch out for that indicate a problem with your lawn, and some of them are more obvious than others. In most cases, discoloration is the most obvious sign, as grass will turn yellow, tan, or brown in spots. Keep in mind, though that its not always a disease that can cause this. Higher than normal temperatures, inadequate watering, and insects can also cause dead or dying areas, only underscoring the need for adequate identification.
Assuming that everything else is normal, discoloration is just one sign that your lawn is sick. Brown patches not attributable to pets, slimy patches of grass, a film covering the grass and spots on individual blades of grass are all signs of an issue. While specific fungi and lawn diseases have unique signs, some of the most common types of disease and fungus include:
Don’t Miss: Does Peroxide Kill Nail Fungus
Is Baking Soda Good For Plants
Baking soda on plants causes no apparent harm and may help prevent the bloom of fungal spores in some cases. It is most effective on fruits and vegetables off the vine or stem, but regular applications during the spring can minimize diseases such as powdery mildew and other foliar diseases.
A solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda to 1 gallon a of water reduces instances of leaf burn. Add 1 teaspoon dormant oil and ½ teaspoon of dish soap or horticultural soap as a surfactant to help the mixture stick. Keep in mind the solution is water soluble, so apply on a dry cloudy day for best results.
While some trials and scientific research mitigate the effectiveness of baking soda against fungal diseases, it wont hurt the plant and does have short term benefits, so go for it!
BEFORE USING ANY HOMEMADE MIX: It should be noted that anytime you use a home mix, you should always test it out on a small portion of the plant first to make sure that it will not harm the plant. Also, avoid using any bleach-based soaps or detergents on plants since this can be harmful to them. In addition, it is important that a home mixture never be applied to any plant on a hot or brightly sunny day, as this will quickly lead to burning of the plant and its ultimate demise.
Remedies For Powdery Mildew
There are lots of home remedies, but researchers have found that simply spraying with plain water weekly can be effective. The spores like humidity but hate rain and water. They cant germinate or grow if the leaves are wet. This is the opposite of what most gardeners think, me included.
One season I tried to defeat powdery mildew by planting squash in our high tunnel, thinking that if I could keep the leaves dry they would not be affected. Naturally, they got the worst case of powdery mildew I have ever seen! It was the perfect place for it to thrive: high humidity and no rain hitting the leaves. Another lesson learned the hard way!
If you decide to try a home remedy rather than plain water, there are several that have been proven to be effective if used early. They can slow or stop the spread early on, but once the fungi are established in the leaves, they wont eliminate it.
Homemade Baking Soda Spray
Many of these remedies include baking soda. Just be aware that baking soda can burn plants and it can build up in your soil, potentially causing deficiencies in calcium, magnesium, and iron. Potassium bicarbonate can be substituted for baking soda. Test these sprays on a small area first to make sure they do not damage your plants.
Also Check: How To Apply Nail Stickers
How Do You Get Rid Of Fungus On Plants
One way to prevent plant fungus infections involves the adoption of preventative measures. These are:
Why Your Lawn Is Rusty
Lawn rust is a type of fungus that affects turf grasses. That yellowish-orange powder that is visible is actually spores on the leaf blades. These spores can easily rub off on your hand if touched and can easily be tracked into your home.
Many types of plants are susceptible to rust fungus, from ornamental plants to evergreens. But on your lawn the fungus becomes very obvious due to the large amount of space the plant covers. Grass that is low in nitrogen or has not been watered properly is usually at the highest risk for lawn rust. The weather can also have an effect. Cool nights and heavy rainfall are favorable for rust development. It is usually prevalent in late summer or early fall when lawn growth slows down.
Read Also: Fungus Eliminator By Purehealth Research
How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats With Tea Tree Oil
Many people use tea tree oil on the skin. However, it is also a great solution for a gnat infestation. Combine 20 drops of tea tree oil with a litre of water. Water the infested plants with this mix, and you should help remove any larvae in the soil. For the adults, use some adhesive traps around the plant.
