symptoms
Symptoms
- circleScorched, grey-brown blotches on leaves and petals, as if burned
- circleSmall round spots on leaves that develop into larger patches in wet weather
- circleDistorted, stunted shoots that fail to open properly
- circleGrey fuzzy mold on affected tissue and small black sclerotia on decaying bulbs
help
Causes
Caused by the fungus Botrytis tulipae, which overwinters as sclerotia in soil and infected bulbs, spreading rapidly via airborne spores in cool, wet, humid spring weather.
healing
Treatment
Remove and destroy infected plants including the bulb as soon as symptoms appear, and avoid replanting tulips in the same spot for at least three years.
shield
Prevention
Plant only firm, healthy bulbs, space plants well for airflow, and clear away and destroy dead foliage and debris promptly at the end of the season.