Amaryllis
is a bold, striking flower that grows from a bulb. Many people grow them in
containers, often in the fall or winter for late winter to early spring blooms,
but amaryllis
can also grow outdoors in warmer climates. Amaryllis is generally easy to
grow and is not often troubled by disease, but be aware of signs of southern
blight and know how to manage it.
What is Amaryllis Southern Blight Disease?
Southern blight of amaryllis is a fungal disease that can
affect these plants. The causal agent is the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. It also causes disease in legumes, cruciferous
vegetables, and cucurbits, among many other plants you may have in your garden.
There are a lot of different plants, and weeds, that can
play host to the southern blight fungus. For amaryllis, you are most likely to
see the disease if you grow them outdoors. Potted amaryllis plants are less
vulnerable but could become infected through the soil or contaminated garden
tools.
Amaryllis Southern Blight Symptoms
The first signs of southern
blight infection are yellowing and wilting of the leaves. The fungus will
then appear as white growth around the stem at the level of the soil. The
fungus spreads through small, bead-shaped structures called sclerotia, which
you may see on the threads of white fungus.
Amaryllis with southern blight may also show signs of infection in the bulb. Look for soft spots and brown, rotted areas on the bulb below the soil. Eventually, the plant will die.
Preventing and Treating Southern Blight
The fungus that causes this disease will accumulate in the
leftover plant material from past seasons. To prevent the spread of southern
blight from year to year, clean up around your beds and dispose of dead leaves
and other material appropriately. Don’t put it in the compost pile.
If you grow amaryllis in pots, throw out the soil and clean
and disinfect the pots before using them again with new bulbs.
Southern blight of amaryllis can also be treated if you
catch it in time. Drench the soil around the stem with an appropriate
fungicide. Check with your local nursery for the right treatment for amaryllis.
Amaryllis
is a bold, striking flower that grows from a bulb. Many people grow them in
containers, often in the fall or winter for late winter to early spring blooms,
but amaryllis
can also grow outdoors in warmer climates. Amaryllis is generally easy to
grow and is not often troubled by disease, but be aware of signs of southern
blight and know how to manage it.
What is Amaryllis Southern Blight Disease?
Southern blight of amaryllis is a fungal disease that can
affect these plants. The causal agent is the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. It also causes disease in legumes, cruciferous
vegetables, and cucurbits, among many other plants you may have in your garden.
There are a lot of different plants, and weeds, that can
play host to the southern blight fungus. For amaryllis, you are most likely to
see the disease if you grow them outdoors. Potted amaryllis plants are less
vulnerable but could become infected through the soil or contaminated garden
tools.
Amaryllis Southern Blight Symptoms
The first signs of southern
blight infection are yellowing and wilting of the leaves. The fungus will
then appear as white growth around the stem at the level of the soil. The
fungus spreads through small, bead-shaped structures called sclerotia, which
you may see on the threads of white fungus.
Amaryllis with southern blight may also show signs of infection in the bulb. Look for soft spots and brown, rotted areas on the bulb below the soil. Eventually, the plant will die.
Preventing and Treating Southern Blight
The fungus that causes this disease will accumulate in the
leftover plant material from past seasons. To prevent the spread of southern
blight from year to year, clean up around your beds and dispose of dead leaves
and other material appropriately. Don’t put it in the compost pile.
If you grow amaryllis in pots, throw out the soil and clean
and disinfect the pots before using them again with new bulbs.
Southern blight of amaryllis can also be treated if you
catch it in time. Drench the soil around the stem with an appropriate
fungicide. Check with your local nursery for the right treatment for amaryllis.