Japanese Aralia with Anthracnose? Rare but Treatable
Fatsia japonica
Anthracnose on Japanese Aralia: What to Know?
Anthracnose on Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica) is a fungal condition with high severity. Japanese Aralia has low susceptibility to this disease. Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum that affects many plants, including vegetables, fruits, and trees. The disease thrives in cool, wet conditions, causing dark...
Japanese Aralia is a easy-care plant. Recovery from Anthracnose takes approximately 14 days with proper treatment. As an indoor plant, ensure good ventilation to aid recovery.
Unlike most plants, Japanese Aralia has natural resistance to Anthracnose. Best treated with preventive measures rather than reactive treatment. Unlike bacterial infections, Anthracnose on Japanese Aralia can be managed with organic fungicides.
ð What Does Anthracnose Look Like on Japanese Aralia?
- âĒ Small irregular yellow or brown spots on leaves
- âĒ Dark sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers and fruits
- âĒ Water-soaked lesions that darken as they age
- âĒ Pink gelatinous masses of spores in lesion centers during warm, moist weather
- âĒ Spots that expand and may cover entire leaves
- âĒ Defoliation in advanced stages
â What Causes Anthracnose on Japanese Aralia?
- â Caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum
- â Cool wet weather promotes development
- â Optimum temperature between 75-85°F (24-29°C)
- â Foliage wet for extended periods of time
- â Fungi overwinter in seeds, soil and garden debris
- â Spores spread through water droplets
ð How to Treat Anthracnose on Japanese Aralia?
TLDR: Treat Anthracnose on Japanese Aralia with quick treatment (~7 days) or organic (~14 days). Japanese Aralia has low susceptibility to this disease.
Quick Fixes
Remove and discard all visibly infected parts
Remove and discard all visibly infected parts
Apply commercial systemic fungicide (azoxystrobin or mancozeb)
Apply commercial systemic fungicide (azoxystrobin or mancozeb)
Adjust irrigation to avoid wetting foliage
Adjust irrigation to avoid wetting foliage
Second application of systemic fungicide
Second application of systemic fungicide
Assess treatment effectiveness
Assess treatment effectiveness
Organic Treatment
Remove all infected plant parts and discard in plastic bag
Remove all infected plant parts and discard in plastic bag
Apply organic liquid copper spray to all plant surfaces
Apply organic liquid copper spray to all plant surfaces
Switch irrigation regime to drip, avoiding foliage wetting
Switch irrigation regime to drip, avoiding foliage wetting
Second application of copper fungicide or neem oil
Second application of copper fungicide or neem oil
Assess progress and remove any new lesions
Assess progress and remove any new lesions
Final organic fungicide application and ongoing monitoring
Final organic fungicide application and ongoing monitoring
ðĄïļ How to Prevent Anthracnose on Japanese Aralia?
TLDR: Prevent Anthracnose on Japanese Aralia with 8 essential preventive care practices.
- â Implement drip irrigation instead of overhead watering
- â Give plants enough room to breathe and reduce humidity
- â Remove infected plant material after harvest
- â Practice crop rotation between hosts and non-hosts
- â Choose resistant plant varieties when possible
- â Use western grown seeds not exposed to the disease
- â Avoid wetting foliage during watering
- â Ensure good air circulation around plants
ðą How to Care for Japanese Aralia to Prevent Anthracnose?
ð§ How to Water
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically every 5-7 days. Reduce watering in winter. Avoid letting water sit in the saucer to prevent root rot.
âïļ Lighting
Prefers bright indirect light to partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight which can burn the leaves. Tolerates low light conditions better than most tropical plants.
ðŠī Ideal Soil
Use rich, organic soil with good drainage. A mix of potting soil, compost, and perlite works well. Maintain pH between 5.5-7.0.
Frequently asked questions
Can Anthracnose kill my Japanese Aralia?
How long does Japanese Aralia take to recover from Anthracnose?
Is Anthracnose contagious to other plants near Japanese Aralia?
Sources & References
- Anthracnose: Identification, Prevention & Treatment | Gardening Know How
- Anthracnose: How to Identify, Control, and Prevent Anthracnose | The Old Farmer's Almanac
- Anthracnose Disease: Symptoms, Treatment and Control | Planet Natural
- Anthracnose: Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment Methods
- How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent Anthracnose
- Fatsia Care Guide - Bloomscape
- Fatsia japonica - NC State Extension
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-toxic Plants
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
- Yatsude - Auspicious Ornamental Plants