How to eliminate fungi in plant soil?

Fungi can harm plants

Fungi are microorganisms that can seriously harm our plants; in fact, when they are normally seen it is usually too late. For this reason, it is very important that we do not overwater, otherwise the roots could rot quickly. If you suspect your crops are not going through their prime, don't worry. Next we are going to tell you how to prevent and eliminate fungi in plant soil.

In this article we are going to tell you what are the signs to learn to identify fungi in the soil of plants and what are their elimination processes.

Symptoms of fungi in plant soil

Fungi appear in the substrate

The first thing we need to know is to learn to identify fungi in plant soil. It is very common to confuse the appearance of fungi with other more common phenomena in substrates. Surely if you have had both indoor and outdoor plants, you have ever found white spots in the soil of your plants. We can be alarmed and think that it is fungi, but we have directly ruled out that it is not lime or salt remains. Often when we water there are some invisible components in the water that accumulate on the ground. They tend to create a whitish stain that becomes more fluffy over time and begins to harden.

If this is the case, we just have to withdraw without any complication. The big difference between some lime and the fungus is that it is distributed differently throughout the substrate.. Although it can start by creating clusters in a specific way, if it begins to colonize the entire substrate, one realizes that they are fungi.

How to prevent the appearance of fungi?

There are several things that we can and should do to prevent fungi from damaging our plants, the most important being control the risks. These microorganisms are favored by excess humidity, so we must water only when necessary, that is, every time we notice that the soil is dry or that it is drying out. To do this, we will simply have to insert a thin wooden stick and see how much has adhered to it: if it has been a lot, we will not water.

All this has some nuances depending on the type of plant we are growing. There are plants that by their nature need a large amount of humidity and be continuously exposed to water. These types of plants have greater control over the appearance of fungi. The problem is that there are many fungi in the soil of the plants that start to grow from here and then spread from the stem to all parts of the plant.

Indoor plants are more vulnerable to fungal infection

In the event that we have dishes under the pots, it will be very necessary to remove any excess water ten minutes after watering, because if we don't do it, the root system could get sick. Also, we must use substrates have a good sewer system, since this way the water can be filtered quickly. Drainage is the ability of the soil to filter rainwater or irrigation. The same thing happens in a pot.

Depending on the substrate we are using, the irrigation water can accumulate and generate serious problems if the plant does not tolerate waterlogging. Most indoor plants do not tolerate waterlogging, so we must be careful not only with the amount of watering, but with the dish below.

Cultivation errors that favor the appearance of fungi in the soil of the plants

There are some mistakes when it comes to caring for our plants that we all make without wanting to. And it is that there is a certain ideal environment for the development of these fungi and many times we are not controlling this situation. Let's see what are the main aspects that fungi can grow in the soil of plants:

  • Poorly ventilated environment: it is something more typical of the coldest months of the year. Due to the low temperatures, we tend to ventilate the home for less time. This means that, on many occasions, the air does not flow constantly and is being renewed. Most plants, even if they are specialized for indoor use, need a constant flow of air that can renew the environment.
  • Warm temperature: it is a determining factor when it comes to preventing the growth of fungi in the soil of the plants. Heat is a catalyst for fungi and various insect pests. If our environment is too warm, we not only have to consider removing mold from the ground, but there is also a plague bothering us.
  • Excess humidity: it is the main reason for the appearance of fungi in the soil of plants. Normally, it may be that we water a little more than normal or that the soil in the pot is not generating correctly. You have to control the humidity very well to avoid the appearance of fungi in the soil of the plants. Proper humidity control can also serve to regulate the appearance of other pests.
  • Decomposing matter on the substrateAlthough in small quantities they can be beneficial to our plants, if we add all the above factors to them, you can end up creating a perfect breeding ground for fungi.

What to do to eliminate them?

You can eliminate fungi with fungicide

If we suspect that our plants are having a hard time due to fungi, that is, if we see that a white powder has appeared on the ground, if the leaves are rotting for no apparent reason, and / or if the trunk or stem is softening, we will have to act as quickly as possible to prevent the problem from getting worse. A) Yes, what we will do will be the following:

  • If the plant is potted, We will remove it and wrap the root ball or ground bread with absorbent paper for a day and we will plant it again in that same container.
  • Treat the plant with synthetic fungicide (chemical) following the instructions specified on the container. If it's spring or fall we can sprinkle copper or sulfur on the surface. You can find synthetic fungicides this link.
  • Cut the parts that are badly damaged with scissors previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol.
  • Reduce risks. It is much easier to recover a dry plant than one that has suffered from excess water.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about fungi on the ground, plants and how to eliminate them.


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  1.   Victor Peña Eraso said

    This past summer my tomato plants dried up when they were with the fruits and in the ripening process; it is not the first time that has happened to me, what happens is that the deterioration has been progressive every year, from better to worse. I have consulted with people who have purchased the plant from the same nursery as me and generally have done well. The rest of the orchard has had a normal production

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Victor.
      From what you count, it seems that they have lacked some nutrient or perhaps they have not been watered as often as they need.
      In any case, to cover all fronts and ensure a good harvest next season (not the next one, but the next one), I recommend you disinfect the soil where you are going to plant the tomatoes. In this article explains how to do it. Next year you can take advantage and plant them in large pots for example.

      After disinfection, fertilize the land with organic fertilizers. Pour a good 5cm layer of chicken manure for example, which is very rich in nutrients, and mix it with the soil. And then it will only be a matter of planting the tomatoes, which need frequent watering, especially in the hottest stage of summer.

      A greeting.

  2.   Ivan Garcia said

    Hello, thank you very much for your advice, but in my case I have many kinds of Succulents in a rectangular pot, and they have been with me for many years, that is, they are giants, I changed apartments and everything fell apart with them, from one moment to another their land I stop draining because it gets puddled every time I water it, the leaves are soft and with black dots and now I see that some kind of white mold has grown on the surface of the earth, which I can do that does not imply removing the bushes.

    Thank you very much and greetings from Colombia

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Ivan.
      I would recommend not watering them more than once every 7-10 days and treating with fungicide, but the ideal would be to remove them and plant them each in a pot with holes.
      A greeting.

  3.   Valentina said

    Hello ... in the land of my masseter some white balls are appearing. What can be?

    I await your responses.

    Thank you

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Valentina.
      Without seeing a photo, I don't know how to tell you. You can if you want to upload it to our newly opened facebook group : )
      A greeting.