What can I do about grey mould on my strawberries?
Not much. Grey mould (aka Botrytis) affects the flowers, leaves and fruit of a diverse variety of plants, including strawberries, and extended periods of rainy weather greatly increase the chances that it will show up in your garden.
Rarely does Botrytis get so bad that it takes out most or all of a crop and even in years when it is more pronounced than usual, spraying isn’t the recommended way to deal with a problem that will go away on its own as long as the hot, sunny weather we are currently experiencing sticks around.
For now, pick off and dispose of any affected plant parts. Once things finally dry out, keep watering to a minimum so that both the plants and the ground get an opportunity to experience a moisture free period between waterings. That way you don't accidentally replicate the conditions that gave rise to the mould in the first place.
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at vanessa@gardenmuse.ca.
Originally published in the Creston Valley Advance on July 5, 2010.
