top of page

Dark or Rotting Stems

Possible Causes for 

Phytophthora Blight

Dark, water-soaked lesions develop on stems, roots or fruit, often followed by sudden wilting and plant collapse.

White Mold

White, cottony fungal growth develops on stems, leaves or heads, often accompanied by soft, watery rot and distinctive hard black structures called sclerotia.

Blackleg

Dark lesions spread up the stems, weakening plants and causing yellowing, wilting and eventual collapse.

Late Blight

Dark, water-soaked spots spread into soft rot, causing roots, stems or fruit to collapse.

Anthracnose

Dark, sunken spots develop on leaves, stems or fruit, spreading until infected tissue rots and dies.

Bacterial Canker

Early symptom is leaves begin turning yellow and brown at the margins, called "firing"

Early Blight

Leaves have small brown spots. Distinctive "bullseye" pattern of concentric rings. Can be surrounded by a yellow halo.

bottom of page