Phlox Viral Diseases

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Delightful phloxes, pleasing to the eye with their bright flowering, are often attacked by all kinds of viral ailments. At the same time, it has not yet been possible to identify specific viruses that attack exclusively these beautiful flowers, that is, they are affected by viruses common to several cultures at once. Phlox attacked by such ailments have a rather frail and very squat appearance and, as a rule, cannot be treated. So what kind of viral misfortunes can overcome beautiful flowers?

Necrotic spotting

This infection most often manifests itself at the very beginning of the blooming of the leaves. On the forming leaves, you can see rounded specks of dark brownish color, reaching sizes from 1 to 2.5 mm. In some cases, these spots cover the leaves entirely. And this ailment is caused by one of the strains of the ill-fated cucumber mosaic virus. By the way, in addition to phlox, this strain is capable of infecting a great variety of a wide variety of flower cultures.

Ring spot

Approximately in May-June, the first signs of this destructive scourge begin to appear. Its main symptoms are characteristic ring patterns and light chlorotic specks. If the defeat is especially strong, then it is able to easily cover each plant as a whole. Infected leaves quickly curl and deform strongly, and the plants themselves stop blooming and look depressed. The causative agent of this infection is tomato black ringed virus, which is carried mainly by noxious nematodes.

Variegated

Especially often this misfortune can be encountered during the massive flowering of wonderful flowers. The main symptom of infection is the formation of numerous light streaks on the flower petals. Lush flowering from infected crops, of course, cannot be expected. In addition, with the defeat of this ill-fated ailment, you can notice some deformation of the leaves.

There are varieties of phlox that are especially susceptible to variegation. These include "Night", "Tenor", "Thor", as well as "Samantha Smith" and some others. It is noteworthy that it is almost impossible to notice manifestations of variegation on varieties with white flowers. The causative agent of this harmful scourge is considered to be the razuha mosaic virus, which slays on the spot a huge number of different flower crops, including a spectacular delphinium, bright carnations and delicate tulips. As for the carriers of the infection, they are nematodes from the harmful genus Xyphinem.

Rattle

On the leaves of phlox, the formation of light specks begins, which at first develop very actively, and a little later begin to fade and instantly necrotic. In some cases, plants can also act as hidden carriers of infection, but this is expressed only in a slight delay in their growth. This attack, caused by the tobacco curly streak virus, is especially common in Central Europe. Nematodes belonging to the genus Trichodorus carry a destructive infection.

Rugosity

The second name for this misfortune is leaf curl. The phlox leaves attacked by it become very curly and rather lumpy, and on top of them are densely covered with countless necrotic specks differing in irregular shape. They can be glossy or heavily covered with unpleasant scabs. Occasionally, on the spots, one can observe the development of yellowish-greenish mosaic patterns or clear blackish edging. The stems become deformed, incredibly brittle and very weak, and the growth of beautiful flowers is significantly inhibited. Infected flower bushes are compact and appear dwarf and rather bushy. And they bloom very poorly or do not bloom at all. In most cases, sick phloxes die. This ailment is caused by the cucumber mosaic virus, and its active spread occurs with the help of a harmful soil fungus belonging to the Olpidium genus.