Anthracnose: Urgent! How to Save Your Plant

🔍 Symptoms

Main Symptoms

! Small irregular yellow or brown spots on leaves
! Dark sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers and fruits
! Water-soaked lesions that darken as they age
! Pink gelatinous masses of spores in lesion centers during warm, moist weather
! Spots that expand and may cover entire leaves
! Defoliation in advanced stages

Visual Signs

Small irregular yellow or brown spots on leavesDark sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers and fruitsWater-soaked lesions that darken as they agePink gelatinous masses of spores in lesion centers during warm, moist weatherSpots that expand and may cover entire leavesDefoliation in advanced stages

Affected parts: LEAVESStemFlowersFruits

❓ Possible Causes

→ Caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum
→ Cool wet weather promotes development
→ Optimum temperature between 75-85°F (24-29°C)
→ Foliage wet for extended periods of time
→ Fungi overwinter in seeds, soil and garden debris
→ Spores spread through water droplets

💊 Treatment

⚡

Quick Fixes

~7 days

1

Remove and discard all visibly infected parts

2

Apply commercial systemic fungicide (azoxystrobin or mancozeb)

3

Adjust irrigation to avoid wetting foliage

4

Second application of systemic fungicide

5

Assess treatment effectiveness

Materials needed:

Commercial systemic fungicide (azoxystrobin, mancozeb or chlorothalonil)Pruning shearsGarden sprayerProtective equipment (gloves, mask)

🌿

Organic Treatment

~14 days

1

Remove all infected plant parts and discard in plastic bag

2

Apply organic liquid copper spray to all plant surfaces

3

Switch irrigation regime to drip, avoiding foliage wetting

4

Second application of copper fungicide or neem oil

5

Assess progress and remove any new lesions

6

Final organic fungicide application and ongoing monitoring

Materials needed:

Organic liquid copper sprayNeem oilClean and disinfected pruning shearsPlastic bags for disposalDrip irrigation systemGardening gloves

🔬

Expert Treatment

~21 days

1

Conduct complete visual analysis and document infection extent

2

Surgically remove all infected parts with safety margin

3

Apply broad-spectrum systemic fungicide (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole)

4

Implement timed drip irrigation system

5

Apply contact fungicide (copper or sulfur)

6

Second systemic fungicide application, rotating active ingredient

7

Assess progression and adjust spacing/pruning for ventilation

8

Third fungicide application, maintain ingredient rotation

9

Apply biostimulant to strengthen plant immune system

10

Final assessment and establish preventive maintenance program

Step by Step

1
1. Identify and immediately remove all infected plant parts
2
2. Discard diseased material in plastic bag, not compost
3
3. Apply liquid copper fungicide or sulfur to affected plants
4
4. Repeat application weekly throughout growing season
5
5. Improve air circulation around plants
6
6. Switch to drip irrigation
7
7. Monitor plants regularly for signs of reinfection

🧪 Solutions

🌱 Natural Solutions

✓ Apply liquid copper sprays weekly
✓ Use sulfur powders throughout growing season
✓ Apply neem oil to prevent fungal development
✓ Promptly prune off and discard diseased portions
✓ Use organic fungicides based on Bacillus subtilis
✓ Apply potassium bicarbonate as preventive
✓ Use compost tea as foliar spray

💉 Chemical Solutions

✓ Chlorothalonil-based fungicides
✓ Mancozeb for preventive control
✓ Systemic fungicides containing azoxystrobin
✓ Trifloxystrobin-based products
✓ Apply according to label instructions
✓ Rotate products to prevent resistance

🛡️ Prevention

✓ Implement drip irrigation instead of overhead watering
✓ Give plants enough room to breathe and reduce humidity
✓ Remove infected plant material after harvest
✓ Practice crop rotation between hosts and non-hosts
✓ Choose resistant plant varieties when possible
✓ Use western grown seeds not exposed to the disease
✓ Avoid wetting foliage during watering
✓ Ensure good air circulation around plants

🌿 Common in These Plants

Swiss Cheese Plant

Flamingo Flower

African Mask Plant

Delta Maidenhair Fern

Aloe Vera

Chinese Evergreen

Crimson Cattleya

Dumb Cane

Croton

Taro