I Just Noticed My Gerbera Daisy Has A Gray Fungus…
Kathy Asked
I just noticed my Gerbera daisy has a gray fungus on all the leaves. Can it be saved? I cannot find any information on what to do.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Kathy: It sounds like your Gerbera daisies are suffering from a fungus commonly known as powdery mildew. The symptoms are exactly what you have described. Powdery mildew thrives when temperatures range between 68-82 degrees with high humidity. We cannot control Mother Nature but there are a few things we can do to help reduce the spores from spreading. We know that this fungus is spread by both wind and water. As with any plant, it is important that we place them in a location where they will grow and thrive. Each plant has different growing requirements and Gerbera daisies are no different. They prefer to grow in full sun, which means they should receive six hours of sunlight each day. They should not be overcrowded because good air circulation is important for disease control. Over-fertilizing can also contribute to an unhealthy plant. It is best to water early in the morning and only to water the soil, not the actual foliage, since this can contribute to additional spore development. These practices will help reduce the problem but you will also want to remove all infected foliage. Safer brand fungicide and Neem Oil are both organic options for control.
