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Verticillium Wilt? #803696

Asked July 29, 2022, 6:03 PM EDT

Within 4 days, our vigorous Japanese Honeysuckle became 1/2 dried up. The leaves were curled and crispy, a few leaves with black spots. I don’t see the black vascular systems that are shown in online pictures. We are in Ontario and have experienced very hot days. I have cut back the plant where the leaves dried. There was a lot of leaf litter at the base of the plant, but the soil was not over-saturated, just moist. It is alkaline and compact soil which was amended with compost and Zeolite a year ago at planting. This plant experienced a huge growth spurt with the June rains. I am a Master Gardener from Eagle, ID and this soil is very different. I am puzzled. Can you help? Attached are some pictures of stem cross-cuttings and leaves.

Malheur County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question, Sandy.  Honeysuckle (Lonicera) is not known to be a species susceptible to verticillium wilt.  The three diseases listed in the PNW Diagnostic guide are powdery mildew, phytophthora root rot, and yellow vein (a virus).  https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=honeysuckle
Your plant's symptoms are consistent only with root rot, described here:  https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/rhododendron-phytophthora-root-rot.  While yellow vine and mildew may be present, they are the least of the problem.  
I suggest that you send soil and plant samples to the OSU Plant Disease Clinic for analysis:  https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic/submit-sample/how-submit-plant-materials
I hope they can help.   Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 29, 2022, 6:27 PM EDT

Wow! Thank you for your quick response. I will followup with the disease clinic.


On Fri, Jul 29, 2022 at 4:27 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 29, 2022, 6:39 PM EDT
Welcome!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 29, 2022, 6:41 PM EDT
While I doubt that it has any impact on these issues, I suggest that you notify the Clinic that you have applied Zeolite, along with the concentrations you used.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 30, 2022, 12:15 AM EDT

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