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Symptoms: Soft areas develop on upper plant material. Plants may droop and/or collapse. Photo by Plant Disease Clinic |
Bacterial rots are problematic on cacti when plants are overwatered and/or have poor drainage. |
Symptoms: Soft areas develop on upper plant material. Plants may droop and/or collapse. Photo by Plant Disease Clinic |
| Causal organism: | Erwinia spp. |
| Method of dispersal: | In infested soil and roots, or through wounds |
| Infection point: | The pathogen usually enters roots through small feeder roots or wounds. |
| Control: | Once severe symptoms appear, it is often too late, and the plant should be discarded. Discard old soil and wash pots in 10% bleach solution to prevent spread of the pathogen. In some cases, disease-free sections of plants can be propagated. |
| Labeled fungicides: |
N/A |
| Comments: | Prevention is the best line of defense against rots. Use pasteurized disease-free soil, avoid overwatering, and use porous soil mixes and containers that provide proper water drainage. Do not overwater plants. |
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