What is this grey mould destroying my plants?

IT’S already blighted my cyclamen in pots, has enveloped the leaves of my ornamental cabbages, and left the base of other plants in soggy tatters. Grey mould, or botrytis, is one of our most common winter problems, a nuisance fungus that emerges during damp weather, invades greenhouse plants in cool and humid conditions, or attacks plants that have an open wound left by something else.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

It covers stems, foliage and fruit with a soft grey fluff and can seriously damage crops. While outdoor attacks are most common during wet weather in summer, when high temperatures and humidity prevail, in winter grey mould is most likely to happen under glass, when plants are at the lowest point of their annual growth cycle, producing a mass of vulnerable decaying foliage.

WHICH PLANTS ARE AFFECTED?

So many plants can be hit by botrytis, including chrysanthemums and gladioli, tomatoes, onions, geraniums and a host of other plants.

It is common on apples, grapes, strawberries, raspberries and currants, while vegetables affected include beans, brassicas, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, potatoes and celery and carrots in store.

Once it takes hold it can spread rapidly and damage is severe and can cause fruits to be completely destroyed.

Snowdrops can also be affected and whole clumps may need to be removed and burned to avoid the mould spreading to other plants.

WHERE IS IT MOST ACTIVE?

Greenhouses are one of the most common spots for grey mould to be active and if you are not careful, you can quickly lose whole trays of seedlings to it. Be aware that botrytis thrives in cold, damp conditions and will soon invade weak plants and