Introduction to Common Flower Diseases and Insect Pests - Leaf Spot

Symptoms

1. Celosia leaf spot, also known as brown spot, affects the leaves, petioles, and stems. The initial lesions on the leaves are round, and they gradually expand into irregular spots with a ring-like pattern. The color of the lesions changes from reddish-brown to dark brown, with a gray-brown center. On the stems and petioles, the lesions appear as long, brown streaks.

2. Fishtail leaf spot, also called black spot, causes dark brown spots on the leaves. These spots grow larger over time, forming irregular patches with slightly raised edges. Small black spots are scattered across both sides of the affected leaves.

3. Clivia leaf spot, also referred to as wilted spot disease, presents as elliptical or elongated reddish-brown lesions on the leaves. These lesions are surrounded by green rings and eventually expand into irregular large patches with dark spots in the center.

Disease Incidence

Sphaerotheca fuliginea, the causal agent of some leaf spots, grows on the surface of infected plants and spreads through wind and rain. Celosia brown spot is most severe during summer and autumn (August–September), while the spotted leaf disease of Kiriophora tends to be more prevalent in summer. Clivia leaf spot occurs in spring and autumn, but it can occur year-round in greenhouses. Factors such as continuous cropping, dense planting, poor air circulation, and high humidity contribute to the spread of the disease.

Control Methods

1. Promptly remove and destroy infected plant parts by burning them to prevent further spread.

2. Practice crop rotation, especially when moving plants within the greenhouse.

3. Avoid excessive watering and ensure proper ventilation to reduce humidity levels.

4. Begin spraying fungicides at the first sign of disease to prevent its spread. Commonly used fungicides include 25% carbendazim WP diluted 300–600 times (or 50% at 1000 times, 40% wettable powder at 600–800 times), 50% thiophanate-methyl at 1000 times, 70% SENOX at 500 times, 80% mancozeb at 400–600 times, and 50% kresoxim-methyl at 500 times. It’s important to alternate between different fungicides to avoid the development of resistant fungal strains.

Proper management and early intervention are key to controlling these leaf spot diseases effectively. Regular monitoring of plants, especially in humid environments like greenhouses, can help detect symptoms early and minimize damage.

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