Plant Damange:

Root rot and root crown rot.

Multiple Hosts:

  • Heath & Heather (Erica)
  • Hemlock (Tsuga)
  • Juniper (Juniperus)
  • Mountain laurel (Kalmia)
  • Rhododendron (Rhododendron)
  • many others

Occurrence

One of the most common Phytophthora diseases of nursery crops grown in the field or in containers. It is favored by waterlogged soils and warm temperatures.

Infection

This pathogen infects only roots during prolonged periods of soil or media saturation. The disease progresses throughout the root system and can move into the root crown. A main stem canker can develop just above the root crown area.

Survival

This pathogen survives as spores in the soil or container media, or in infected host roots.