Rhododendron: Botrytis shoot blight

Biology

Botrytis shoot blight is a fungal disease found on shoots in early spring. Symptoms of infection include brown, water-soaked spots on the shoots and masses of gray spores which may be formed on infected tissues. Infected shoots either bend over at the lesion or die back.

Management Options

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

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Good air circulation is essential. Space plantings to allow good air flow and reduce humidity.
• Avoid overhead watering where possible. If you must use overhead watering, limit to morning hours so foliage will dry during the day.
• Prune out infected tissue, making cuts into healthy wood and disinfecting pruning tools between cuts.
• Clean up and destroy any diseased material beneath plants.

Chemical Management

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

• None recommended