Content
- Fungal attack on the magnolia - What to do?
- Real and wrong mildew
- Nectria cinnabarina (Vermilion Pusto)
- Botrytis (gray horse)
- Tips & Tricks
Fungal attack on the magnolia - What to do?
Healthy magnolias are rarely affected by fungal infections. Mushrooms, especially the three mentioned in the above, penetrate mainly in weakened or (for example, by unclean cutting tool) injured trees. Treat fungal diseases as soon as possible, as the pathogens can weaken the magnolia and even kill it.
Real and wrong mildew
If you notice a greyish or white coating on both the top and bottom of the leaf, it is most likely mildew. There are two variants of this. The powdery mildew is also known as "fair-weather mushroom", because it appears mainly on warm and dry days. On the other hand, downy mildew prefers cooler and wetter weather. Mildew can be treated quite well with home remedies (eg garlic or nettle slush), with strong infestation helps a copper-containing fungicide.
Nectria cinnabarina (Vermilion Pusto)
This fungal disease infests branches and branches of the magnolia and is mainly introduced by unclean cutting tool. They detect an attack on the orange-red or pale red spots in the branches. Nectria cinnabarina is dangerous in that the fungus introduces toxins into the metabolism of the plant, thus weakening it and later causing it to die. It occurs mainly due to lack of water or high heat. Cut the affected areas generously into healthy wood and dispose of the clippings immediately - it remains contagious to other plants.
Botrytis (gray horse)
Botrytis, also known as gray mold or gray mold blight, is particularly insidious. It infects almost all plant parts from the roots to the last leaf and even the fruits, not only feeding on living material but also on dead material. However, the fungus prefers the bark of young shoots as well as the leaf and flower buds (if one can speak of it in a fungus). The tree looks like it's covered in a gray and white carpet - which it is, because it's the mushroom carpet that spreads very fast. Remove all affected parts of the plant and store them in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Subsequently or in case of excessive infestation choose a sulphurous fungicide, for example with the active ingredient fludioxonil.
Tips & Tricks
Since prevention is still better than cure, cut your magnolia only with absolutely clean cutting tool and then seal the wound with tree resin. In addition, remove dead or sick parts immediately to keep the plant strong.