Fungicide for a Hibiscus With Blight

Cause

• Botrytis blight is the nickname for a disease caused by any number of fungi in the genus Botrytis. Also known as gray mold, it enters the plant through wounds, or at the axil of the bud and the petiole. The hibiscus is most susceptible to gray mold during cool, humid weather that lasts for several days. Botrytis fungi live on dead plant material, overwinter on both live and dead plant parts and are spread by splashing water, rain and wind.

Symptoms

• The most obvious symptom of botrytis blight is a gray substance on the hibiscus's leaves, but it may also be seen on stems, flowers, even on the crown. Eventually, infected leaves wilt and fall from the shrub. Stems may be brown with sunken lesions and they may fall over. Advanced symptoms include brown buds, which fail to bloom and die on the shrub without falling to the soil.

Fungicide Solution

• If the hibiscus is heavily infected, remove it from the garden and bury it at least 1 foot underground. For less serious blight infections, use a fungicide containing chorothanil as the active ingredient. Spray the hibiscus either early in the morning or in the evening to avoid applying it in the hot sun. Make sure you read the entire label before mixing and applying the fungicide and wear protective eyewear, gloves and clothing when applying it. Reapply the fungicide according to label instructions.

Prevention

• Healthy hibiscus plants are better able to fight off infections, so avoid stressing the shrub. Watch the moisture content of the soil and don't allow it to become too moist or too dry. Learn what type and how much fertilizer the hibiscus requires and fertilize it properly. Remove any plants that impede air circulation around the hibiscus. One of the easiest ways to prevent botytris is to water the hibiscus at the soil and not overhead. Moist foliage is the perfect germination medium for fungal spores.