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Symptom

Fuzzy mould

Fuzzy growth is a fungus or water mould in fruiting mode. Grey fur on fruit is botrytis; grey-purple down under leaves is downy mildew; white fluff on compost is often harmless or damping off.

Where the fuzz is tells you most: on fruit, under leaves, or on the compost.

Likely causes

Ordered from the usual answer to the less likely one. Each links to the full problem.

  1. A strawberry rotting under fuzzy grey mould Fungal disease Common

    Grey mould (botrytis)

    Grey fur on fruit and flowers that puffs spores.
  2. Basil leaves yellowing and blotched with downy mildew Fungal disease Possible

    Downy mildew

    Grey-purple down under yellow patches on leaves.
  3. Seedlings collapsed at soil level from damping off Fungal disease Possible

    Damping off

    White fluff on compost with collapsing seedlings.
  4. Citrus leaves coated with black sooty mould Fungal disease Less likely

    Sooty mould

    Black, not fuzzy; wipes off.