Red Geranium

Today was cloudy and mild- ideal for gardening. I prepared pots and planted silver beet (chard) and pak choi plants, sowed lettuce and cucumber seeds and pulled out more cleavers.

One of the garlic plants looked sick so I pulled it out. The root was rotting and was covered by tiny white things. See extra shot. I searched for an ID online, without success, just a couple of photos posted by people who wanted to know what they are. What I would like to know are they the cause of the problem or are they cleaning up? I’d be glad of help with this.