Ovulinia Petal Blight
Ovulinia azaleae
135 host plants
Last updated
You'll see ovulinia petal blight on azaleas and rhododendrons as small water-soaked spots on flowers that rapidly spread, causing flower rot. Infected flowers first show small spots about one millimeter in diameter. Remove and destroy infected flowers promptly. This disease favors cool, wet conditions during bloom. Improve air circulation and reduce leaf wetness to prevent infection. This blight is most damaging during cool, wet springs when flower and shoot development is rapid. Monitor plants closely during vulnerable periods.
Remove and destroy infected flowers. The practice of "deadheading" can be helpful. Remove affected tissue promptly, cutting into healthy wood. Improve air circulation by thinning dense growth and avoid overhead watering during susceptible periods. Preventive fungicide applications may help where the problem recurs annually.
Quick Reference
Management
Apply protective fungicide just before budbreak and then at recommended intervals during bloom period
Cultural Controls
- Remove and destroy infected flowers.
- The practice of \"deadheading\" can be helpful.
- Remove and destroy floral debris from the base of plants or pots.
- Carefully remove 1 inch of the media, mulch, or soil from around base of plants.
- Replace with fresh, clean mulch.
- Avoid overhead irrigation.
Ovulinia petal blight has been detected in areas west of the Cascade Range where maritime climate and rhododendron/camellia cultivation overlap.