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Tackling Sooty Mould - which in itself is relatively
harmless unless there is a severe infestation - is not the answer to the
underlying problem.
Sooty mould is present, because there is honeydew for
it to feed on. The honeydew is only there because you have failed to
spot an insect attack in time. The insects normally at fault, are
aphids, scale insects and the like. Basically, sap sucking insects.
Sooty mould does NOT grow on the plant tissue - just on the after
effects of an insect problem.
An interesting chain of events visible in this image. The
sooty mould can be clearly seen on some of the leaves. But prior to
that, the eggs of the sap sucking insects can be seen on the flower bud
(Top Left corner), as can the sap sucking insects at work, but also many
carcases of insects - legs in the air! A closer look to the centre left
will reveal a predator of the sap sucking insects. Almost a complete
food chain!
Some say that a bad case of sooty mould will stop
light getting to the leaf and therefore cause damage. Long before this
happens, the insects would have caused damage.
So! No insects = No Honeydew = No Sooty Mould. Treat
the cause, not the after effects which cause the sooty mould. |
