Mold on Living Plants

[Beankeeper]

So, I was recently hired to help an informative site spread the news about the dangers of mold and I have begun to wonder - since mold mainly metabolizes already decomposing organic material - if any of you have encountered a mold living on any of your thriving plants in the garden?

 

[Whitewolf2578]

It sounds like it could happen on things you need to pick right away, I could see this happening to tomatoes if you were to not pick them and they were just sitting in the dirt. Mold needs moisture to thrive.

 

[Beankeeper]

Okay. So it just doesn't sound plausible that mold could infest a plant that is healthy and thriving? I think you're right. It would be a fruit or vegetable that is past its prime, not a healthy, non-aging plant.

 

[Pat]

I agree, the plant must be decomposing to allow the mold to start to grow. I have not seen mold on a living plant.

 

[Jewell]

This is probably off topic, but not everything that appears to be mold or fungus is, and some are beneficial. I hope you will include information on these too. I recently freaked out finding this on my blueberry bushes, but it is a beneficial organism, Fuligo septica, frequently called the "dog-vomit fungus." http://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2003/mar03/mar0303.html

 

[headfullofbees]

There are many fungi which grow on healthy trees, and myccorhizal fungi are extremely beneficial, however, some like powdery mildew are deadly.

 

[Beankeeper]

This is probably off topic, but not everything that appears to be mold or fungus is, and some are beneficial. I hope you will include information on these too. I recently freaked out finding this on my blueberry bushes, but it is a beneficial organism, Fuligo septica, frequently called the "dog-vomit fungus." http://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2003/mar03/mar0303.html View attachment 3129

Thank you so much for showing me this. The readers at this particular site are often worry-warts when it comes to mold and I imagine if they found something like this around their yard or in the gardens, they would be freaking out. So, I am definitely going to write an article about this particular fungus. Thanks again!

 

[Beankeeper]

There are many fungi which grow on healthy trees, and myccorhizal fungi are extremely beneficial, however, some like powdery mildew are deadly.

Right. Exactly. I was just curious because toxic mold and even common non-toxic (but still hazardous to human health) molds can grow and thrive inside a living host. So, I was just curious as to whether or not they could thrive in a living plant but I'm now kicking myself for even suggesting it because plants are naturally anti-fungal...LOL