What is wrong with these hostas?

10 years ago

Hi - In my new home I have a row of hostas along a path (may 15 feet) that have brown spots. I would hate to have to pull them up but need help diagnosing then deciding the best next steps.

Featured Answer

ctopher_mi

10 years ago

It is a fungus and I suspect it is botrytis. Cold damage or a very light frost can damage young leaves and then the fungus gets in, especially if it is both cold and wet after the damage happened. Once it starts up it can spread pretty quickly, even to new leaves emerging when they are wet. Sometimes a complete killing freeze would be a better alternative.

Drenching with a fungicide like Daconil, which contains the chemical chlorothalonil, will stop it from spreading to the new leaves and if you can pluck off and throw away the worst leaves it will help stop spores from spreading more. Then next spring as the hostas emerge spray with a fungicide again and you will prevent the problem.

This year with the early warm weather followed by cold, light frosts, and cold rains has created the perfect conditions for botrytis and other fungus to spread.

Chris

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

paulsiu
10 years ago
Did you try scrapping the brown spots? Is the spot sticking out. It looks vaguely like scales.

Paul
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
never heard of scale on hosta ... and i ve been listening a long time.. lol

i cant tell from the pix.. if its errant leaves ... or entire plants ...

if its just a few leaves.. i would grab a leaf with one hand.. track down the petiole with the other.. and yank them out ... problem gone ...

the problem with early spring bugs.. is .. often.. they are gone.. by the time you see the result ... so i figure. rip it out.. and see if new growth is affcted.. and if not.. problem solves ...

also ... its all on the weakest tissue.. white tissue.. wondering if you had some near frost event.. and some random white tissue cells burst.. not noticed.. and now.. a week later. .the dead tissue is browning ... and becoming noticeable..

again.. the new leaves.. just emerging.. would not show the damage ...

ken
Related Professionals
Concord Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Allentown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Albany Landscape Contractors · Carbondale Landscape Contractors · Tyler Landscape Contractors · Escanaba Landscape Contractors · Nashua Landscape Contractors · Saint George Landscape Contractors · Bend Landscape Contractors · Anchorage Landscape Contractors · Salina Home Additions · Springfield Home Additions · Show Low Home Additions · Tucson Home Additions · Palm Desert Home Additions
John Fachy
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
OMG I just posted a similar forum! I live in Quincy, Massachusetts and my long time Hosta plantings have the same type of issues as yours? I'm trying to determine what the cause is and have cut them back for now....it affected dozens of my Hosta plants....I feel your pain!!
Babka NorCal 9b
10 years ago
That is not scale. I did have some soft scale on hosta leaves last year for the very first time. Just a few here and there. I squished them with my fingers. Did you hear that Ken? ;-)

-Babka
User
10 years ago
Thanks Chris, great info!

I have been watching for this fungus/problem in my garden to appear as the weather here has set up for the perfect 'botrytis fungal' storm.

Could/should I apply the fungicide as a preventative with the on going weather pattern?
Mizzteek Z6 MA
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks all, especially Chris!!! I will look into the fungicide asap.