Verticillium Wilt? - Ask Extension
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 ...
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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!
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!
Wow! Thank you for your quick response. I will followup with the disease clinic.
Welcome!
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.