English Ivy with Anthracnose: Prevention & Cure

Hedera helix

Susceptibility: Moderate Severity: High Difficulty: Easy

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, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.

🔍 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

❓ 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

Remove and discard all visibly infected parts

Apply commercial systemic fungicide (azoxystrobin or mancozeb)

Adjust irrigation to avoid wetting foliage

Second application of systemic fungicide

Assess treatment effectiveness

🌿

Organic Treatment

Remove all infected plant parts and discard in plastic bag

Apply organic liquid copper spray to all plant surfaces

Switch irrigation regime to drip, avoiding foliage wetting

Second application of copper fungicide or neem oil

Assess progress and remove any new lesions

Final organic fungicide application and ongoing monitoring

🛡️ 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

🌱 Care Guide: English Ivy

💧 How to Water

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically once or twice per week. Allow excess water to drain and never let the plant sit in standing water. Reduce watering in winter.

☀️ Lighting

Prefers bright indirect light but adapts to lower light conditions. Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch leaves. North or east-facing windows are ideal. Variegated varieties need more light to maintain coloration.

🪴 Ideal Soil

Use well-draining, fertile potting mix with pH 6.0-7.5. A standard potting soil with added perlite works well. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

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