Honey fungus is number one plant disease
11 March 2010
Honey fungus is the number one garden disease troubling gardeners, according the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
The plant disease list is collated from the number of enquiries received from RHS members in 2009 about plant diseases.
Top 5 plant diseases for 2009
Honey Fungus: Honey fungus is the common name given to several different Armillaria fungi that attack and kill the roots of many woody and perennial plants. The most characteristic symptom of honey fungus is white fungal growth between the bark and wood usually at ground level. More advice on honey fungus
Pythiums: Pythiums primarily attack plant roots but can cause stem rots, cuttings rot and foliar blight under the right conditions.
Fungal leaf spots: Leaf spots affect a range of plants and are caused by fungi. Plant commonly affected by leaf spots include: hellebores, primulas and roses, which are affected by rose black spot, a type of leaf spot.
Phytophthora diseases: Phytophthora diseases cause root rots, foliage blights, fruit rots and bark cankers on a wide variety of plants. These fungus-like organisms are among the most damaging plant diseases. More advice on Phytophthora ramorum and P. kernoviae
Powdery mildews: The powdery mildews are a group of fungi which attack a wide range of plants, causing a white, dusty coating on leaves, stems and flowers. More advice on powdery mildews