strawberry gray mold treatment

There are a number of excellent fungicide choices for gray mold control in strawberries: Switch (cyprodinil and fludioxonil) and Pristine (pyraclostrobin and boscalid) provide excellent control and both have two different active ingredients, one of which is systemic, which broadens their spectrum of activity.

How do you get rid of mold on strawberries?

To start off, pour about ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 ½ cups of water into a large bowl, and soak your berries in the mixture for a few minutes. The vinegar will get rid of mold spores and bacteria, which make your strawberries spoil quicker. (And don't worry—your strawberries won't taste like vinegar afterward!)

What causes gray mold on strawberries?

Gray mold of strawberries is caused by a fungus, Botrytis cinerea, which infects both the flowers and fruits. ... Botrytis is most prevalent during prolonged cool, wet weather during bloom and near harvest. Symptoms and Diagnosis. Blossoms commonly turn brown and die.

How do you treat gray mold?

How to manage gray mold

Gray mold can show up anytime wet weather occurs during the growing season.
Space your plants properly to encourage good air circulation between plants.
Split or thin overgrown perennials.
Keep your plants dry.
Avoid overhead watering.
Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose.

What kills gray mold on plants?

Prevention is key to the health of your plants. A final suggestion is to completely clean out your greenhouse and disinfect it with a 5-10% bleach solution or a food-grade hydrogen peroxide solution after each season. This will kill any remaining spores and reduce the likelihood of disease for the next season.

Should I throw out all strawberries if one is moldy?

Soft fruits and vegetables have high moisture content, so the mold can penetrate below the surface. That means moldy strawberries belong in the trash. ... If they show no signs of mold and are not overly mushy, it should be safe to wash and eat them. But, when in doubt, throw them out.

Do strawberries last longer in a Ziploc bag?

For longer lasting strawberries, the key to longevity is the freezer. Instead of washing your berries, freeze them on a covered baking sheet (wax paper or plastic wrap works) for a 3 to 4 hours. Take them out and then place them in a Ziploc bag for long-term storage.

Why do strawberries mold so fast?

Strawberries are like sponges, so once wet, they soak up every bit of moisture, making them more likely to get mushy and spoil faster. Also, wet berries are more apt to get moldy.

What is the white mold on strawberries?

As mentioned, they are prone to fungal infections that may account for this fuzzy growth. The same thing may happen in your garden-grown berries — a white to grayish fuzz on the berry itself or coating the strawberry leaf. One of the most common fungal diseases of strawberries is powdery mildew.

What happens if you eat a strawberry with mold on it?

“If you accidentally eat a piece of fruit with mold, [chances are] nothing is going to happen,” Gravely told HuffPost. “Don't worry about it. Most people won't get sick from eating moldy foods. Of course, some people are more sensitive than others.

Is GREY mold harmful?

Gray or white fungus is usually mildew, which can be easily removed with a special cleaner and a scrubbing brush available from any grocery store or online. On the other hand, mold can be yellow, green or black. Unlike mildew, mold can cause serious health problems and even structural damage to your home.

Is vinegar or bleach better for killing mold?

Vinegar truly is better than bleach at killing mold. ... In most cases, “a background level of mold spores will remain” after the application of bleach. “Bleach only kills surface mold, not the membrane underneath,” according to ServiceMaster. “That means the mold will grow back.

How do you fight Botrytis?

Treatment

Prune or stake plants to improve air circulation between plants. ...
If growing indoors use a small clip-on fan to improve air flow.
Keep the soil under plants clean and rake up any fallen debris.
Add a good amount of organic compost or mulch under plants.

How do I get rid of powdery mildew?

Spray on plants every one to two weeks. Potassium bicarbonate– Similar to baking soda, this has the unique advantage of actually eliminating powdery mildew once it's there. Potassium bicarbonate is a contact fungicide which kills the powdery mildew spores quickly.

Will hydrogen peroxide kill powdery mildew?

That familiar brown bottle in your grocery store, 3% strength hydrogen peroxide, is a good natural treatment for powdery mildew. You can use a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water to control disease. Apply directly to the soil and mist on leaves for best control.

Does heat kill Botrytis?

... Soil-borne pathogens may be killed by lethal heat (>40 8C) and weakened by sub-lethal heat (<38-40 8C) to the extent that they are unable to cause damage to plants or they are more susceptible to chemical toxicants (Stapleton, 1997;Banu et al., 1998;Chauhan et al., 1998).

Should fresh strawberries be kept in the refrigerator?

Fresh strawberries can go directly into the refrigerator, but will do just fine on the counter for a couple of days. ... Strawberries will soak up the water, making them more susceptible to spoilage. Even with careful handling, strawberries won't last longer than a few days without refrigeration.

What does mold on strawberries look like?

A mold that grows on strawberries is a grayish-white fuzz. A common mold that grows on bread looks like white cottony fuzz at first. If you watch that mold for a few days, it will turn black. The tiny black dots are its spores, which can grow to produce more mold.

Does vinegar kill mold?

White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle.

How do I get my strawberries to plump again?

Pour cool water over the top so the ice is floating and set a timer for 20 minutes. Pour off the ice water. (Instead of wasting it, I let the water warm to room temperature and used it to water my houseplants). You'll see strawberries that appear lighter in color and restored to a plump shape.

How do you prolong the life of strawberries?

One of the cardinal rules of keeping berries mold-free is to leave them unwashed until the moment before consumption. But, by washing your berries in a solution of vinegar and water, you can extend their shelf-life by days (sometimes even weeks!).

What is the best way to wash strawberries?

Strawberries can also properly be cleaned with a vinegar or salt wash. To clean strawberries with vinegar, fill a bowl with 1 cup white vinegar, 8 cups of water. You should let the strawberries sit in the vinegar-water bath for at least five minutes before draining the bath and drying the strawberries with a towel.