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How to prevent and treat root rot in rhododendrons? These methods you need to master

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Root rot is a serious threat to rhododendrons. Although its incidence rate is not high, the mortality rate after infection is very high, so the prevention and treatment of root rot must be taken seriously in the cultivation and management of rhododendrons. Root rot is a soil-borne disease caused by Fusarium fungi, mostly occurring at the root and stem parts of rhododendrons, because these parts are often moist with insufficient sunlight, and the Deuteromycetes Fusarium fungi are highly active there. Once they invade the cortex, rot soon follows, with water-soaked brown spots and soft rot appearing on the roots, followed by decay and peeling of the bark, the xylem turning dark brown

Root rot is a serious threat to rhododendrons. Although its incidence rate is not high, the mortality rate after infection is very high, so the prevention and treatment of root rot must be taken seriously in the cultivation and management of rhododendrons.

Root rot is a soil-borne disease caused by Fusarium fungi, mostly occurring at the root and stem parts of rhododendrons, because these parts are often moist with insufficient sunlight, and the Deuteromycetes Fusarium fungi are highly active there. Once they invade the cortex, rot soon follows, with water-soaked brown spots and soft rot appearing on the roots, followed by decay and peeling of the bark, the xylem turning dark brown, and the bark gradually turning grayish white, and it will gradually spread, "then expanding until the entire cortex of the trunk necrotizes, cutting off the transport of nutrients and water, causing the young leaves at the top to gradually dry up, and the branches and leaves to wilt, lose water and dry up from top to bottom, until the whole plant dies.

For the prevention and treatment of root rot, the following measures should be taken:

The Deuteromycetes Fusarium fungi survive on plant residues in the soil, and can still be infectious within several years when encountering a suitable host. Alkaline soil, high humidity, and relatively high temperatures all favor the development and spread of the disease, so after diagnosis, dead plants and potting soil should be dealt with promptly.

For nearby plants, the whole plant can be soaked or rinsed with 0.1% potassium permanganate, and after rinsing with clean water, repot it. The potting soil can be pre-watered with a 70% Topsin 1000-fold dilution.

Attention should be paid to improving site ventilation, increasing light in the morning and evening, and applying more potassium fertilizer to improve disease resistance.

Around May each year, apply 200-fold Topsin to the main trunk, once every 7 to 10 days, for three consecutive times, to prevent infection.

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