Anthracnose Fungus Disease

Anthracnose fungus is a disease of importance to gardeners because it affects so many trees and plants. There is no cure. This page is about identifying and choosing a fungicide treatment for the disease.

Affected Plants

Stem canker caused by dogwood anthracnose.

Anthracnose susceptible trees include:

Some Vulnerable Perennials are:

Affected fruits include:

Disease Symptoms

Infected Sycamore Leaf

The Colletotrichum fungus which causes this disease is most common to the eastern United States. The fungi live in seeds, soil and the above ground portion of plants. Cold does not kill it and temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees F. encourage its growth.

Infected Oak Leaf

Fungal spores develop only in the presence of moisture. Wind, splashing water, dirty garden tools, and garden insects then spread the disease from plant to plant.

Infected Peach Fruit

Infected plants develop dark, wet-looking spots on their leaves, stems, or fruit. During rainy summer weather, pink clusters of spores will form in the centers of the dark spots. Infected fruit will rot in a few days.

Rose canker is caused by anthracnose.

Organic Anthracnose Control

Discard all trimmings of infected plants and clean your pruning tools with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 3 parts water) before using them on uninfected plants.

Do not save seed from infected plants as the seed may be infected as well.

Sulfur or copper based fungicides will prevent the spores from germinating. Spray infected plants on a weekly basis throughout the growing season.

Rose Rosette Disease
Rose rosette disease is a viral rose disease spread by a tiny insect. The virus is specific to roses with Rosa multiflora being its primary host. Symptoms and treatment of rose rosette disease.

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