There are many natural ingredients that can help to get rid of fungus in garden soil. Some of these include: Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural antifungal and can be used to treat fungal infections topically or internally. Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is another effective natural antifungal agent.
A good place to start is a mix of mild liquid soap and water, sprayed onto houseplants. One teaspoon of soap per litre of water will do the job. It sounds simple, but this formula will treat a lot of common houseplant pests. Add just a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and it becomes a great fungicide as well.
– Baking Soda
A regular household item, it comes in handy in tackling fungal growth in soil. In two liters of water, mix in one teaspoon of the soda, along with a few drops of oil. Spray directly on the affected area.
Fungi and bacteria themselves are the main food source for larger organisms, such as protists, nematodes, springtails, and mites (about 0.1–2 mm; Figure 1). These organisms again are eaten by larger predators (a few millimeters in size), such as centipedes and spiders (Figure 1B).
Be sure not to spray this solution onto plants that you want to keep. Also, the vinegar can affect the soil pH, at least for a few days, which usually will not kill other plants but may cause some stress and upset soil balance.
Use vinegar.
Vinegar is a proven method for destroying mold and eliminating pesky white spots from your plants. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a quart of water, and spray onto your infected leaves and stems. Repeat every few days until all traces of mold are gone.
Bicarbonates (Baking Soda)
Bicarbonates, like baking soda, have also been used as a natural option for fungicides for a long time. Ammonium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate are recommended over baking soda. This is because they are effective without the additional use of oils.
Cinnamon for mould on plants
Scientific studies indicate that cinnamon works against fungal pathogens. Under laboratory conditions, scientists have shown that the elements in cinnamon powder inhibit the development of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) and various species of Phytophthora.
Hydrogen peroxide, well known as an ingredient in disinfectant products, is now also approved for controlling microbial pests on crops growing indoors and outdoors, and on certain crops after harvest. This active ingredient prevents and controls bacteria and fungi that cause serious plant diseases.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an effective and inexpensive antifungal agent that is readily available at a supermarket. It is an organic and eco-friendly remedy for black spots and fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Fungus can quickly damage plants and cause plants to wilt and die.
Cinnamon contains a natural and very effective fungicide which will kill any remaining Fungus. Be sure to allow the top soil to properly dry out before watering again, and preferably only water from below eg. directly to the reservoir of a self watering planter.
But if you notice wilting, mold, rust, blotches, scabs or decaying tissue on your plants it's time to hit them with our organic fungicides and disease fighters. Most are made from naturally-available oils and other components, some are even listed with OMRI for use on organic gardens.
There is no scientific evidence indicating that Epsom salt can control or manage fungal or bacterial pathogens in plants. Epsom salt can help if a recent soil test indicates that there is not enough magnesium for the type of plants being grown.
Sodium bicarbonate as a fungicide works by disrupting the ion balance in the fungal cells, which causes them to collapse. The biggest danger in using sodium bicarbonate on plants is the potential for foliar burn.
Did you know that a build-up of dirt on the leaves of your plants can affect growth and photosynthesis? Try mixing a small amount of ACV with water and gently applying it to the leaves with a soft cloth. Not only will this clean the leaves but the smell of the ACV is likely to prevent pests from eating them.
Dawn dish soap can save your plants from pest infestation, but it can damage them as well — this may sound contradictory, but it's true! Too much of it dissolved in water can burn the leaves of your sensitive plants. If you want to make this work, do these things: For a gallon of water, 1 teaspoon of it is fine.
Epsom salt can improve the blooms of flowering and green shrubs, especially evergreens, azaleas and rhododendrons. Work in one tablespoon of Ultra Epsom Salt per nine square feet of bush into the soil, over the root zone, which allows the shrubs to absorb the nutritional benefits.
Overwatering is one of the leading culprits of fungal growth. Unless your plant needs the soil consistently moist, allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering. Make sure every container has drainage holes in the bottom, and never let your plant sit directly in standing water if there is a saucer under the pot.
"If your soil does not drain well or is not given time to dry out, it creates ideal conditions for mold to grow," says Brown. Poor soil drainage can also lead to root rot, which may cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and even result in the death of your plant.
Fungi perform important functions within the soil in relation to nutrient cycling, disease suppression and water dynamics, all of which help plants become healthier and more vigorous. Along with bacteria, fungi are important decomposers of hard to digest organic matter.