After a stressful season, your irises are vulnerable to this pesky fungal disease

As the Mid - Atlantic enters fall after a red-hot and humid summertime , gardeners face many challenges . Among these arecontrolling pest and battling disease . Pest and disease infestations lean to be a lineal result of a nerve-wracking grow season . When the summertime weather is aroused , fungal disease raise their wretched head much more often . One disease you might be dealing with after a hot summer is iris leaf smudge .

Iris foliage spot is due to the fungusCladosporium iridisand affects iris ( Irisspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10 ) . Fortunately , it can be controlled relatively chop-chop once it is identified . Typically , the fungus take a few seasons to pop affected plants , but if the proper amount are put in place , it can be easy remedied .

What does iris leaf spot look like?

First , you must name the fungus . Of the many irises grown in the Mid - Atlantic region , the bearded or German iris ( I. ×germanica , Zones 3–10 ) is the most susceptible to iris leafage smudge . The most common symptom appears on the leaf blades , starting as small , yellowish lesions that wrench dark-brown soon after appear . The lesion often spread through the leave after the irises bloom . The leaf blade may finally become entirely necrotic and kick the bucket back .

Take proactive steps to prevent iris leaf spot infestation

Since the fungus overwinters as a connection of fungous thread ( or mycelium ) on the beat foliage and stems , spore can accumulate in the spring and lead to young infection throughout the growing season . so as to command this rhythm of infections , the following criterion can be well take to slow and ultimately do away with the fungus .

Typically , the cultural practice mentioned above can be utilized to reduce and eliminate iris folio smear . Spraying a chemical substance fungicide is often not necessary if the fungus is decent monitor and treated promptly . As free fall approaches , be sure to remove any visibly infected foliage as it appears , and the disease will start to subside in subsequent seasons .

— Michele Christiano has worked in public and private gardens for most of her career . She lives in southern Pennsylvania .

Article image

get word more

More Mid - Atlantic Regional Reports

More from Michele Christiano

Article image

More on Irises

Fine Gardening advocate intersection

Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner

Article image

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through connection on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising political program .

Get our tardy tips , how - to clause , and instructional video send to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Article image

Queens of the Curbside

10 Ways to Keep Your Garden Healthy

Lilacs: Time for a Fresh Look

Join Fine Gardening for a innocent engross alive webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned works pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical director …

When I spotted a finicky sand buck cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I know I was in trouble . With a delicious colour pattern …

When we only prioritize plant we desire over flora our landscape needs , each time of year is filled with a never - ending list of task : pruning , pinching , lacrimation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Article image

Subscribe today and save up to 47%

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you come in the backyard of garden intriguer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a brace …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access fellow member get more

Start Free Trial

Get all over site entree to expert advice , regional substance , and more , plus the photographic print magazine publisher .

Article image

begin your FREE tribulation

Already a member?access

Iris leaf spot targets iris foliage after particularly moist summers.

Iris leaf spot targets iris foliage after particularly wet summers.Photo: Michele Christiano

iris leaf blade with leaf spot

Yellow to brown streaks along leaf blades can indicate the presence of this fungus.Photo: Michele Christiano

Iris leaf spot is a disease as seen here in the yellowing blades of an Iris plant.

You may have mistaken iris leaf spot for foliage that is going dormant after summer, but these diseased areas of foliage aren’t natural and must be removed.Photo: Michele Christiano

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Magazine Cover

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image