Ngaio with Anthracnose? Rare but Treatable
Myoporum laetum
Anthracnose on Ngaio: What to Know?
Anthracnose on Ngaio (Myoporum laetum) is a fungal condition with high severity. Ngaio 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...
Ngaio is a easy-care plant. Recovery from Anthracnose takes approximately 14 days with proper treatment.
Unlike most plants, Ngaio has natural resistance to Anthracnose. Best treated with preventive measures rather than reactive treatment. Unlike bacterial infections, Anthracnose on Ngaio can be managed with organic fungicides. Without precautions, chemical treatments for Anthracnose can be harmful to pets. Use organic methods for Ngaio in pet-friendly homes.
ð What Does Anthracnose Look Like on Ngaio?
- 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 Ngaio?
- 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 Ngaio?
TLDR: Treat Anthracnose on Ngaio with quick treatment (~7 days) or organic (~14 days). Ngaio 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 Ngaio?
TLDR: Prevent Anthracnose on Ngaio 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 Ngaio to Prevent Anthracnose?
ð§ How to Water
Water regularly during the first year of establishment. Afterward, allow the substrate to dry almost completely between waterings: excess moisture promotes root rot.
âïļ Lighting
Needs full, direct sun for most of the day; in shade, it weakens and loses foliage density.
ðŠī Ideal Soil
Thrives in sandy, loamy, or clay soils as long as they drain well; tolerates poor and saline soils, ideal for coastal gardens.
Frequently asked questions
Can Anthracnose kill my Ngaio?
How long does Ngaio take to recover from Anthracnose?
Is Anthracnose contagious to other plants near Ngaio?
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
- Myoporum laetum - PFAF Plant Database
- Ngaio (Myoporum laetum) - NZ Native Plants
- Myoporum Thrips - Center for Invasive Species Research
- Myoporum laetum - Wikipedia