Re: about Mustard Seed Fungus was,Is this rot?
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: about Mustard Seed Fungus was,Is this rot?
- From: R* T* D* <r*@sierratel.com>
- Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 23:02:30 -0600 (MDT)
Chad Schroter wrote:
>
> I have heard that Mustard Seed Fungus - once in the ground requires
> treatment with TerraChlor? TerraMycin? And is difficult to eradicate.
> Experienced advice was to destroy any incoming plants with this disease rather
> than risk garden contamination. It appears as a whitish web on the rhizome.
>
> What do people know about this ?
Chad,
Mustard Seed Fungus, alias Southern Blight or Crown Rot is a malady in
warm climate areas. Iris growers sometimes confuse this with soft rot
as the advanced stages of the fungus eat away at the rhizome and make it
seem like soft rot. However you can tell it is not soft rot as it has
no odor. Rhizomes affected by this fungus *can be cured*, and I can
vouch for this by experience, by using a clorox dip. I use a 1 to 5
solution and soak for 30 minutes. If you plant back in clean soil you
do not need to use terraclor. If you are in questionable soil then
terraclor is necessary. If the fungus is present in your bed it will be
difficult to eradicate and your bed should be sterlized. Solarizing
will kill the fungus.
Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California...where all of my next year beds are "saran wrapped"
and cooking in the hot heat!
Zone 8
