My Gerber Daisies are infected with some kind of mold or fungus. Is there anything I can do to get rid of it?

Question

When I bought my Gerber Daisies they were healthy and beautiful. I followed instructions on how to pot them and care for them. For the past month of July, they have developed a fungus all over their leaves and flowers. I have not been successful no matter what remedies I find at the nursery: from systemic to on the spot treatments. Please help!

Answer 1

Does it look like talcum-powder like growth?Patches of white to grey?..If so its powdery mildew.Avoid overhead watering if possible,remove and destroy infected plant parts.You can use a fungicide...check label for plant types safe to use on and how often.Its usually caused by leaves staying to wet.. high humidity..crowded planting. Do not fertilize till you take care of the problem..it loves new tender growth.

Answer 2

eddie is right, it sounds like powdery mildew, what I do with my Gerber's is I do not water the leaves, I water the soil, I cut out any leaves that are infected or brown (or just taking over, my leaves got so lush the flowers ran out of room). I cut the leaves from as far down on the plant as I can get. If there are too many infected leaves to cut away, then cut out some, so that the rest are exposed to sun or there is enough room for air to circulate, and use a good fungicide, I use one called "garden safe" brand fungicide (got it at Wal-mart)-you spray it on the leaves once a week until the problem is fixed, but I always spray the cungicide in the morning so any excess moisture is dried up by the afternoon.  Good Luck!