PlantPal

Gray fuzz on flowers or leaves

Check for gray fuzz growing on soft brown tissue, especially on fading blooms.

Gray mold on a rose bud.
Gray mold on a rose bud. Photo: Flowersabc · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized and converted for display.

What to check first

Look at spent flowers, damaged leaves and the tissue touching them. Ordinary fading can leave dry petals; spreading soft brown patches with gray fuzz suggest gray mold.

What to do now

While the plant is dry, remove affected flowers or leaves and collect fallen petals. Avoid shaking the fuzzy material. Give the plant more space and water at soil level.

What to watch next

Check nearby buds and stems. If browning moves into a stem or keeps spreading despite drier foliage, ask for plant-specific help.

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