How to Manage Pests
Pests in Gardens and Landscapes
Botrytis rot (Gray mold)—Botrytis cinerea
Gray mold may appear at any stage of fruit development. Lesions are usually seen first near the stem
end or on the side of the fruit touching other decayed fruit, soil, or standing water. Affected areas
turn pale or light brown at first and may spread over part or all of the fruit surface. Diseased tissue
is covered with a velvety gray growth when the fungus begins to produce spores. Berries may become cottony
white. Affected flower parts turn brown.
Identification | Life cycle
Fruit decay can be kept to a minimum by using raised
beds, plastic mulch to keep fruit from touching
the soil, and drip or furrow irrigation to keep water off the foliage and fruit. Make sure the plants
are spaced far enough apart so that there is good air
circulation around the fruit. Using stepped planter boxes
that allow fruit to hang down over the sides may help improve
circulation. Remove moldy fruit to reduce disease inoculum.
If sprinklers are used, water in the morning so that plants
will dry off during the day.
Gray mold infection on fruit
Flower killed by Botrytis