Geranium: Botrytis leaf spot and blossom blight

Biology

Botrytis is a fungus which thrives under mild environmental conditions. Brown, water-soaked areas appear on leaves and petals. The spots soon dry out and become covered with gray-brown masses of fungal growth. Flowers wilt and drop. Brown leaf lesions often result after petals drop on leaves. Stock plants may show a stem blight.

Management Options

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

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• An integrated strategy combining environmental management and cultural practices will best manage this disease.
• Remove and burn infected leaves.
• Increase spacing between plants.
• Water at base of plants and/or with drip irrigation, do not wet foliage.

Chemical Management

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

• Disease should be managed with cultural controls.

Additional Image