Marigold Problem

Chatham County, August 2003

Diagnosis: Botrytis Flower Blight (Botrytis cinerea)
and Bacterial Leaf Spot (Pseudomonas sp.)

Description and Biology of Botrytis Flower Blight

The excessive rains of this summer have contributed to problems with flower blight and bacterial leaf spot. The best way to manage flower blight is by regular inspection and sanitation. Remove faded or blighted flowers and place them in a bag so that they may be discarded with the trash or burned. Try not to do any sanitation when plants are wet with dew or rain since this could spread the disease. Wider plant spacing can increase air circulation and promote rapid drying of plants. To control bacterial leaf spot, soak seed in four parts water to one part bleach for 40 minutes, rinse, then dry.

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This page last updated June 13, 2006.

 

URL: http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms

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