How to Treat Crown Rot

Untreated crown rot in a garden or landscape causes widespread plant destruction. Caused from a soil pathogen in the genus Phytophthora, crown rot affects shrubs, trees, vegetables and ornamentals. The fungus requires moist, warm soil to spread. During the warm seasons, afflicted plants will suddenly wilt and die. The leaves of the sick plant may show discoloration. Large trees often exhibit symptoms on one branch, but over the course of years the disorder will progress until the entire tree is engulfed and perishes. Plants suffering from crown rot usually have brown or black areas of discoloration on the bark, near the base or on their roots.

Fungicide
Foliar fungicide
Cotton ball
Hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

- 1
  Apply a fungicide that contains tachloronitrobenzene to kill the crown rot fungus prior to planting in the soil. The fungicide comes as a drench or in granule form. Follow the directions on the label for application instructions.
- 2
  Maintain a mulch-free zone around the base of plants, shrubs and trees. Keep the mulch at least 3 inches back from the plant's crown. Crown rot requires moist soil to become prolific. Keeping the mulch away from the base of the plant will help reduce moisture and control the fungus.
- 3
  Treat the infected plant with a fungicide that contains flutolanil. Follow the directions on the label for application instructions.
- 4
  Spray the foliage of the infected plant with a fungicide that contains fosetyl-al. The plant will absorb the fungicide through its leaves.
- 5
  Dab crown rot lesions on an orchid with a cotton ball dipped in hydrogen peroxide. Use the hydrogen peroxide every two to three days until it no longer fizzes when applied to the wound.

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