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Identifying
Harmless Molds versus Bug Infestations
by
Byron
and Laurelynn Martin
Sooty
molds are not harmful and, in fact, are a natural occurring phenomena found
on certain plant varieties. Airborne molds colonize on plant sugars
and create black patches often confused with leaf pathogens. Little
white beads are excreted on the backsides of the leaves and stems. The
white beads have a high sugar content and make room for opportunistic molds
to colonize; this turns the white beads to black beads. Let us assure
you, the beads that we are talking about are not symptoms of bugs or plant
diseases. Believe it or not, the molds are harmless.
Symptoms
of Plant Exudates
Little
white or black beads
Droplets of clear liquid
Black Patches
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2-
Plants such as Clerodendrums have glands on the back of the midrib
of the leaves where sugars are excreted in tiny patches as droplets of
clear liquid. Harmless sooty molds colonize on the sugars, thrive and turn
black.
How
to identify?
1-
Use a magnifier to see if there is evidence of adult insects.
2-
Do not be confused by the exudates that look like insect eggs.
3-
Clear white dots and honey dew often seen in heavy infestations of
scale, aphids and mealy bugs must have an adult insect for proper
identification, else consider it the sugars. Once black appears, you
can be assured sooty mold is afoot.
Do
you treat for Mold?
1-
No, don’t treat. It is a normal occurrence. The molds may look awful
but the good news is all the activity appears on the backside of the leaves.
Remember the plants are not harmed from having these opportunistic molds.
Does
mold appear at certain times of the year?
In
our culture, the symptoms are found throughout the year, although the
intensity may
vary from season to season.
Are
there any other similar symptoms?
Yes,
edema can cause similar but not identical symptoms. White hair-like
growth and a resulting black are symptoms of edema, which will be addressed
in a later article.
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