Camellia: Virus

Biology

The camellia yellow mottle leaf virus is transmitted by propagating from an infected plant or by grafting from an infected plant to a healthy one. Sometimes the virus is purposefully transmitted to foster variegated leaves and flowers. Irregular yellow splotches appear on leaves, while unaffected portions remain dark green. Colored flowers might display white blotches. The disease is mostly harmless unless there is extensive leaf yellowing, which results from the suppression of chlorophyll development. Leaves produce less food, and the plant becomes weakened.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Remove excessively weak plants.
• Do not plant infected plants near healthy ones.
• No chemical application is available to cure infected plants. If variegation is undesirable, select healthy plants from the start.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• None recommended