symptoms
Symptoms
- circleWilting, yellowing, or thin, sparse foliage despite adequate watering
- circleDark, mushy, foul-smelling roots that slough off outer tissue when squeezed
- circleSlow decline in growth and eventual plant death
help
Causes
Caused by soil-borne Phytophthora species that produce motile spores which thrive and spread in waterlogged, poorly drained soil, infecting fine feeder roots first.
healing
Treatment
Improve drainage immediately, reduce watering frequency, and remove severely affected plants; fungicide drenches may help protect valuable plants caught early.
shield
Prevention
Plant in well-drained soil or raised beds, avoid overwatering, and choose resistant rootstocks or species in areas prone to wet soil.