Identifying Mums with Fusarium Wilt
It is easy to misidentify fusarium on mum plants as root rot, but there are some key differences. One sign of either problem is wilting of leaves, but with fusarium it may occur only on one side or part of the plant. Also, roots look healthy when fusarium is the issue. Yellowing or browning of leaves follows wilting. The plant’s growth will be stunted and it may not produce any flowers. If you cut a stem on a mum with fusarium wilt, you can see browning in the vascular tissue.
Does Fusarium Kill Mums?
Unfortunately, yes, this fungal infection will kill chrysanthemum plants if not managed properly. It is important to know and recognize the signs of the disease. If you catch it early, you should be able to destroy the diseased plant material and prevent it from spreading to other plants.
Chrysanthemum Fusarium Control
The most important thing you can do control chrysanthemum fusarium wilt is to buy plants that are certified disease free. The fusarium fungus can survive for years in soil, so it can be difficult to eliminate if you get it in your garden. If you do see signs of wilt in your mums, destroy the affected plant material immediately. Clean any tools or pots thoroughly to prevent the spread of the fungus. Always clean up plant waste from the area where you grow chrysanthemums to keep fungus from building up in the soil. Another step you can take if fusarium has gotten a foothold in your garden is to amend the pH of the soil. A pH between 6.5 and 7.0 will be unfavorable to the fungus. Adding fungicide to the soil will also help control it. Check with your local garden center or extension office to find out what type of fungicide is best.
