Black spots, or sooty mold, that appear on tree leaves and fruit are caused by insect pests infecting your plant. These insects are not only responsible for sooty mold, but also deform and discolor the plant, dry out the leaves and cause them to fall. Here are natural and ecological methods to get rid of sooty mold.
Prevent sooty mold by avoiding aphids
Nettle:
Boil a good quantity of nettles , and leave to infuse for 15 minutes. Water your plants or trees with this solution from time to time.
Coffee grounds:
Sprinkle coffee grounds around your plant to eliminate ants , which are the major cause of aphids .
Banana peel:
Enrich your plant’s soil by burying banana peels in it . The nitrogen and magnesium in bananas will keep your plant healthy.
Repellent plants:
Sow aphid-repellent plants such as nasturtium , lavender , thyme , mint , marigold , etc.
Ladybugs:
Protect ladybugs from your garden. They are the number one enemy of aphids. To attract them, sow honey-producing flowers such as borage or phacelia . You can also find ladybug larvae sold commercially.
Treating sooty mold
The tobacco :
Macerate 100g of additive-free tobacco in 1 liter of water for 24 hours, filter then add 1 liter of water and spray this mixture on your plants.
Baking soda :
Mix a heaping tablespoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of olive oil in a glass of water and spray it where the black spots are.
Soapy water:
Spray a soapy water solution on the leaves.
Don’t forget to regularly examine the leaves of your plants to treat any diseases or infestations of harmful insects as quickly as possible.