White Spore-Like Growth on Begonias: Slime Mold, Not Fungus

Wedding landscape job: dark-leaf begonias show "deformed thick white spore growth" on crowns. Gardener needs immediate spray to stop spread.

Diagnosis: Slime Mold

• Not a fungus—fungicides won't work.
• Common on frequently watered, bark-mulched beds.
• Harmless; disappears in 4–5 days.

Action Plan

• Hand-remove visible growth with trowel.
• Water deeply but less often (not daily).
• Do not spray fungicide—waste of time/money.
• Monitor: if no spread in 2 days, it's slime mold.

Wedding weekend safe—slime mold is cosmetic, not lethal.