Fungi are small creatures that live in dark, damp corners. They are more than just spots on our plants. They are part of a diverse kingdom that plays a crucial role in nature. But how can we distinguish them? How can we know if they are useful or harmful to our plants? And if they are harmful, what can we do? What natural and harmless options to combat them do we have at our disposal?

there are good mushrooms and bad mushrooms

Identifying fungi can be challenging, especially because they are often confused with other phenomena that occur in substrates. However, with a little knowledge and careful observation, we can learn to recognize them and understand its role in our garden or crop.

Fungi can be both friends and enemies of our plants. Some are beneficial and help our plants grow, while others can cause serious damage. Therefore, it is important to learn to identify them correctly to protect our plants and ensure their healthy growth.

Why do fungi appear?

The appearance of fungi in plants can be due to various circumstances. The most common include:

• Excessive humidity: It may be due to overwatering or inadequate drainage. It is important to control humidity to prevent fungal growth. Take measures to avoid waterlogging your plants when watering.
• High temperatures: They can act as a catalyst for the growth of fungi and pests.
• Inadequate ventilation: Insufficient ventilation inside can encourage the appearance of fungi.
• Decomposing matter: Dry leaves and other decaying materials can promote fungal growth if left in the substrate.

So, if by knowing the causes we have not been able to prevent its appearance and we identify fungi on our plants that are harmful, what can we do?

The best homemade fungicides

Commercial fungicides can be effective, but they often contain chemicals that are dangerous and unsuitable for fruiting plants. However, there are natural alternatives that you can prepare at home with simple ingredients.

we give you three simple homemade recipes to make your own cheap and simple fungicide:

1. Baking Soda Fungicide

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 liter of water
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (helps mix the baking soda with the water)

Preparation and application:

1. Dissolve the baking soda in the water.
2. Add the vegetable oil
3. Apply the spray solution to affected plants once a week. Not only does it help fight existing fungus, but it also prevents future infections.

2. Vinegar fungicide

Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, is another effective homemade fungicide due to its high acidity. works well against a wide variety of fungal problems and can be especially useful in humid climates.

Ingredients:

• 1 part apple cider vinegar
• 3 parts water

Preparation and application:

1. Mix vinegar with water. It is important to dilute the vinegar well so as not to damage the plants.
2. Spray the solution on the affected plants, being careful not to soak the soil.
3. Repeat the treatment every week until signs of fungus disappear.

3. Garlic-based fungicide

Garlic, in addition to being an essential ingredient in the kitchen, is also a powerful natural fungicide. It is particularly effective against foliar fungi and various pathogenic bacteria.

Ingredients:

• 10 cloves of garlic
• 1 liter of water
• 1 tablespoon of neutral liquid soap (optional)

Preparation and application:

1. Add the grated garlic cloves to the water and let them marinate for at least 24 hours.
2. Strain the mixture and add neutral liquid soap to the water to improve the adherence of the fungicide to the leaves of the plants.
3. Spray the product generously on plants affected by fungus. Be sure to spray both the front and back of the leaves. Apply preferably with little sunlight to avoid burns on the leaves.

Garlic can also be useful for other types of pests that affect plants, such as the cottony mealybug.

Things to keep in mind when applying homemade fungicides

• Always try to apply a small amount of the solution to a part of the plant before applying it completely to make sure it does not cause damage.
• Apply fungicides early in the morning or late in the afternoon to minimize the risk of sunburn on the leaves.
• Be consistent in applications, especially during periods of high humidity, when fungi multiply more rapidly.