Aster Rhizoctonia Rot: A Guide for Gardeners
What is Aster Rhizoctonia Rot?
Aster rhizoctonia rot is a fungal disease that affects asters, a type of flowering plant. The fungus, Rhizoctonia solani, lives in the soil and attacks the roots, stems, and leaves of aster plants.
Symptoms of Aster Rhizoctonia Rot
The symptoms of aster rhizoctonia rot can vary depending on the part of the plant that is infected.
- Roots: Infected roots will be dark brown and mushy.
- Stems: Infected stems will develop sunken areas of decay that turn reddish brown.
- Leaves: Infected leaves will wilt and turn dark brown.
Conditions that Favor Aster Rhizoctonia Rot
Aster rhizoctonia rot is most common in warm, moist conditions. It can also spread rapidly in greenhouses, where plants are often crowded together and the air is humid.
How to Prevent Aster Rhizoctonia Rot
There are a few things you can do to prevent aster rhizoctonia rot in your garden:
- Use clean potting mix: If you are using potting mix to grow asters, make sure it is sterile. Do not reuse old potting mix that may be contaminated with the fungus.
- Clean your tools: Before planting asters, clean all of your gardening tools with a bleach solution. This will help to prevent the spread of the fungus from one plant to another.
- Space plants properly: When planting asters, space them far enough apart so that the air can circulate freely between the plants. This will help to reduce the humidity around the plants and make it less favorable for the fungus to grow.
- Avoid overhead watering: When watering asters, avoid getting the leaves wet. Watering the leaves can promote the growth of the fungus.
How to Treat Aster Rhizoctonia Rot
If your asters have been infected with rhizoctonia rot, there are a few things you can do to treat the disease:
- Remove infected plants: Remove any plants that are showing symptoms of rhizoctonia rot. This will help to prevent the disease from spreading to other plants.
- Apply a fungicide: You can apply a fungicide to the soil around your asters to help control the fungus. Be sure to follow the directions on the fungicide label carefully.
- Solarize the soil: Solarization is a process of heating the soil to kill the fungus. To solarize your soil, cover it with a clear plastic tarp during the summer months. The heat from the sun will kill the fungus in the soil.
Other Plants that are Susceptible to Aster Rhizoctonia Rot
In addition to asters, rhizoctonia rot can also affect other plants, including:
- Beans
- Beets
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
Conclusion
Aster rhizoctonia rot is a common disease that can affect asters and other plants. By following the tips in this article, you can help to prevent and treat this disease in your garden.