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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Roses > Plant Diseases > gnats
Expert: kathy crowley - 11/4/2009
Question
QUESTION: I have New Guinea Impatiens that I brought into the house for the winter about a week ago. The soil has some mold growing on it now. What can I do to get rid of the mold so I don't lose my impatiens?
ANSWER: Hi Wanda, this is what I found for you. kathy
"A white or light yellow mold-like growth may indicate the presence of a saprophytic soil fungus, a fungus that lives on dead or decaying matter. The fungus will not harm the plant but may indicate unsterile potting medium or an overwatered plant."
1. Cut back on watering - Mold thrives on moist environments. Assess how much water your soil really needs. Chances are it's not as often as you are watering now.
2. Make sure your plants or garden get enough sun - The sun's light cuts down on mold's ability to reproduce. Place your potted plants in a sunny area and remove sources of shade in your garden so the sun can reach areas that were shielded before.
3. Scrape and replace contaminated soil - Remove moldy soil from your garden or pots using a shovel. Wear a mask and latex gloves and place contaminated soil in a ziplock bag to avoid cross-contamination. When you are done wash your hands well and change clothes. Now you are ready to start replacing the old soil with new one.
4. Apply a vinegar solution to the affected area - Make a mixture of 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray profusely on the problem area. Vinegar has been proven to kill many species of mold, including black mold.
5. When scraping the contaminated soil it's important to remove and extra two inches around the moldy area to better get rid of the moldy environment.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Your advise on caring for the mold on the soil was right on the money and I loved that it was an organic solution rather than chemical. Thank you very much, my Impatiens are doing fine, except for the small problem I am asking about now.
These same Impatiens now have a few tiny gnat like bugs flying around them. They don't seem to be doing any damage to them yet, but I don't know what I am doing that is causing them. Would you have any idea about what that might be and how to get rid of them?
Answer
Hi Wanda, sounds like white flies as they are small and scatter when you move the plant. I sould suggest Atomic Grow for your solution for a permanent solution to both problems. It is also organic and will help with your annuals and bug problems. Else you will have to go to an insecticidal spray of which most are made with chemical poisons. kathy
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