Phytophthora Blight
Botrytis Blight / Peony gray mold
Symptoms Shots dry quickly and die. Shoots and buds become dark brown to black in color
and becomes somewhat leathery.
Indocation The infection usually starts in the roots and in the lower
parts of the stem.
Action Damaged parts should be removed and the remaining parts sprayed with antifungal
agents. If a part of the peony is still fresh, it can be planted at a new location and will
have a better chance of survival.
Symptoms Shots suddenly dries and dies.
Indication Greyish fluff on the stem just above the surface of the soil surface.
Action Pick off any diseased parts of the plant and clean up the surface around the stem by
digging away a circle that is 3 – 5 cm deep. Spray the plant with anti-fungal agents.
If more than 1/3 of plant is infected, it should be removed entirely, because the chances
of your peony to recover will unfortunately be next to a miracle.
Replanting a new peony in its place is not recommended since this mold might attack
the new peony as well.
Symptom Light and/or dark patterns on the peonies green leaves and deformation of them.
Indication The growth and production decreases when the peony loses strength.
Action If the symptoms are severe and the growth and flowering of the plant has been
greatly reduced, the plant should be removed.
Mosaic virus / Viral disease
Symptoms Stem rot.
Indication Stem gets a light brown color that often becomes dry and stringy.
Action Remove damaged parts and repot the healthy part of the
plant elsewhere, because this fungus is virtually impossible to get rid of since it
lives in the soil.
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum / White mold
Phytophthora Blight
