From: Susan B honeybunny442 at yahoo.com> on 2006.07.10 at 02:12:43(14399)
Hi Adam,
I lost my entire crop of konjacs to this about 5 years
ago. It affected the konjacs while other Amorphs
right next to them had no problems!
I've also lost a significant amount of Zantedeschia to
soft rot/Erwinia 2 years ago. The plants looked just
fine, until suddenly they toppled over at the base.
The petioles looked like they melted. I've also seen
it affect cut flowers- the plant looked fine, the
flower was picked and put into water in a vase. The
next day the petiole would have literally dissolved
all the way up to the spathe, which would look OK for
a little while and then it too would start to "melt".
My soft rot/Erwinia, which, by the way, I understand
is two different diseases but work together; seemed
different from your plant's symptoms.
First, the rot would progress up the petiole or down
to the tuber. I could pull the bloom and leaves right
out of the ground with no effort. Second, it has a
very awful, rotten, stinky smell. The tubers would
also be affected, with large sections rotting off.
Erwinia is a bacterial disease (if I remember
correctly), it is very contagious and can be carried
on feet from one site to another. Phyton 20, a copper
based formula, is said to prevent it, but bulbs must
be sprayed before planting. I believe if it affects
an area you are not supposed to use that soil again
because it is infected.
I did rescue a few of my tubers that weren't too badly
affected, I used a water hose to vigorously spray them
until all the mush washed away. Then I dried the
tubers in the sun/ air as much as possible. Some of
them were viable the next year, I only had about 3
plants with it last year as opposed to maybe a hundred
the year before.
Truly a heartbreaking disease. I wish you luck with
it. Since your tubers seem to be OK, you may have
some other disease or pest going on....
Susan B
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