Japanese maple threatened by diseases such as verticillium wilt

Japanese maple threatened by diseases such as verticillium wilt

Symptoms

Verticillium wilt is caused by fungi of the genus Verticillium, which mostly live in the soil and also penetrate the plant from there. A possible infestation can be recognized by the following symptoms:

  • Green leaves, which were strong until recently, are wilting
  • Foliage is pale in color and slack
  • If the infestation is already severe, the bark is no longer smooth but cracked
  • Branches and shoots die for no apparent reason

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When making a diagnosis, however, it should be noted that some symptoms can also have a different cause. Slack, dry leaves can also indicate a lack of water or, on the contrary, waterlogging. So before you take drastic measures, the first thing to do is to pinpoint the exact cause.

Combat

Unfortunately, it is not possible to successfully treat the fungus with a fungicide, and various home remedies are also not helpful. The only way to combat it should be as early as possible and as soon as the first signs appear - however, the infected Japanese maple can only rarely be saved even then.

  • Cut away the affected areas generously
  • and treat the interfaces just as generously with tree wax. (€ 5.99 at Amazon *)
  • If possible, dig up the tree
  • and put it in a bucket of fresh earth.
  • Then thoroughly disinfect the cutting tool
  • and do not throw the highly infectious clippings on the compost.

In particular, make sure not to use any more plants susceptible to Verticillium wilt at the affected location, as the pathogen remains in the soil. The soil should definitely be replaced before replanting.

prevention

You can only prevent an infection with the Verticillium fungus by carefully selecting the location, for example by not planting susceptible plant species (such as the Japanese maple) where the pathogen has already appeared. Incidentally, this also applies to a new planting after a soil replacement; even then, trees that are as resistant as possible should be selected.

Tips

Pears, walnuts, oaks and willows are considered to be resistant to Verticillium wilt. Conifers are also considered to be comparatively insensitive.