Question
My pitcher plant collection has a serious problem with'mold'this year. Crowding in my 2x3x5 cold greenhouse probably caused it. I have Neem oil available, but would sulfur-based fungicide be a better choice. Should I run it through the pot soil as well as apply it to the foliage.
South exposure; Portland, Or. water; in chunky peat and chicken grit/perlite. The plants at the Wash. Co.MG. Demo Garden Hillsboro, OR. seem to be o.k.       Thank you,   S

Answer
Hi Sylvia,

Sulfur is a better choice since it has a longer lasting effect than Neem.  Also, be sure to cut off any dead foliage on the plants since that is often where the mold starts.  Be pretty ruthless.  I would cut off any or all leaves off of any of the upright varieties.  Be sure to inspect any rhizome crowns and see it the mold is attacking them.  If you find some stricken, unpot them, cut away any affected tissue, saturate them with the sulfur spray, then repot in fresh media.

When you spray, thoroughly spray leaves and the crowns of the plants.  Spray the soil surface also.

Since our weather hasn't been very cold try leaving part of the greenhouse open.  The ventilation helps to minimize the mold spore spread.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com