Wilting Weigela

Identification

• Weigelas are susceptible to verticillium wilt. The disease is caused by Verticillium albo-atrum and Verticillum dahliae. The soil-borne pathogens infect the plants through the roots and remain indefinitely in the soil.

Damage

• The disease starts with stunted and yellowing foliage in certain areas of the plant. Symptoms gradually spread with disease progression. In initial stages, the foliage of a few branches suddenly wilts. There is leaf curling and drying with red or yellow discoloration between the veins. In cases of severe infection, the whole plant wilts and dies suddenly. Inner sections of wood reveal streaking.

Management

• There is no cure or fungicidal control strategies for the disease. Best management practice is to prepare site well by removing any roots in the area. Avoid planting in soil with known cases of disease and use resistant plant varieties. Remove infected plants, and their roots, early to minimize spread of disease.