What Is Wrong With My Lychnis?

Are there any small, yellow-brown spots with a yellow or green halo which first appear on the oldest leaves?

Are the stems, leaves, buds, flowers, or fruit covered with gray mold, leaves may be blotched or discolored?

Are the leaves pale on their upper side and are there any dusty blisters on the undersides?

Are the leaves yellowing, wilting and, dying?

Are there any small, angular, gray-brown spots with defined darker red-brown margins on leaves?

Are the leaves curled and distorted?

Alternaria leaf blight is caused by a fungus that spreads primarily by planting an infected seed. Plant only pathogen-free seed from a reputable nursery. Apply copper-based foliar fungicide if the disease emerges. Rotate crops to non-umbelliferous varieties for 2-4 years.

Gray mold on stems, leaves, buds, flowers, or fruit is probably caused by fungal disease - Botrytis blight. You can prevent Botrytis blight disease by planting in areas with good air circulation. Water plants sparsely. Severely infected plants should be removed. Spray weekly with a copper fungicide until the disease is under control.

Likely cause for these symptoms is a fungal disease - Rust. Provide good air circulation around plants by thining them. Avoid making leaves wet when watering. All infected leaves should be removed. Spray leaves with sulfur early in the season to prevent rust or to treat mild infections.

Yellow leaves that wilt and die usually indicate Root rot. Several pathogens cause root rots of seedlings as well as mature plants. Poorly drained, overly wet soil promotes rot so choose well-drained sites and add organic matter to improve drainage. Remove and destroy infected plants. Solarize the soil before replanting.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease - Septoria leaf spot. Remove and destroy infected plant debris. Don't handle or brush against plants when they are wet. Rotate plantings. Remove weeds growing nearby.

Distorted and curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Large, ragged holes in the leaves are caused by slugs and snails. Slugs and snails feed on the plant leaves usually at night. To control slugs and snails use diatomaceous earth around your plants. You can also handpick them during the night or use shallow dishes filled with beer as a trap.