Question

Dewthread   Allexperts,

I got this Southern Dewthread from you guys this year.  I use distilled and rainwater on this plant.  It grows outside.   The plant has some odd white stuff growing at the base of the plant.  I have attached a picture of the plant and the odd white stuff growing at the base of the plant. Should I be fearful of what this could be?  I have used Tebuconazole on the plant. I started the first of  three treatments today.  Any suggestions?  As always thank you for your time.  If this helps it has been the wettest 2 months on record.   

Sincerely,

Weylin

Answer
Those are fine hairs that's part of the base of the plant.  This is completely normal.  There's no need to spray it with a fungicide or try to eliminate it.  It's part of the normal structure of the plant.  Usually you can tell the difference between fungus and plant hair (or cilia) by pouring water on it.  If it's fungus, the fine fungal structures will collapse completely and seem to almost disappear.  Cilia will remain visible when completely saturated with water.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin