Pythium

Description

Pythium is a fungus that is normally borne by unsterilized potting soil. The spores of the Pythium fungus will remain dormant until warm, wet conditions give them the environment they need to thrive. When this happens, Pythium will attack the roots and crown of African Violets. The crown will typically turn light gray in color, while the stems will begin to rot at the base. In almost all cases, Pythium is fatal to African Violets. The best control for Pythium is, therefore, prevention.

Distinguishing Symptoms

• Stems wilt or turn mushy. Typically, this only occurs at the base of the stem where it is, in fact, rotting. While leaves may appear relatively healthy, the base of the stems become so mushy that they can no longer hold the weight of the foliage.

If you African Violet has this symptom, it probably has Pythium.

Other Symptoms

• Leaves pale. They appear gray in color. This symptom is most noticeable in the crown.
• Crown pales. It appears grayish in color.
• Leaves drop.
• Plant growth is slow.

Treatment

In almost every case, Pythium is fatal. As heartbreaking as it may be, the best treatment is to simply throw the plant away, pot and all. For those intent on saving the plant, however, there is still slim hope with a lot of time and some fairly radical procedures. First, isolate the infested plant. If possible, move it to another room altogether. Next, you must remove any dead or dying tissue from the leaves, stems and roots. To get to the roots, remove the plant from its pot and gently shake off all the soil. Wherever you have removed unhealthy tissue, dust with sulfur to help prevent further infection. Next, repot the plant in fresh, sterilized soil. Until the plant has fully developed a new rootball, you will need to use a smaller pot size in order to minimize the risk of overwatering. When choosing a potting soil, select one that is very light and porous. An ideal potting soil will primarily consist of block-harvested, sphagnum peat moss. Before repotting, treat the soil with a fungicide, such as Benomyl. Do not overwater. At this point, your best hope is to use a self-watering device that allows you to water from the bottom. At all costs, avoid getting any water on the leaves or crown. Finally, do not begin fertilizing until the plant is well on its way to recovery. Depending on the condition of the plant, it may be four to six weeks before any fertilizer is recommended.

Prevention

Prevention is always your best bet for successfully controlling Pythium. By adhering to the following guidelines, you will give your African Violets the best chance for eliminating any threat of Pythium.

Do not overwater. This is the greatest danger to African Violets. Overwatering leaves the soil soggy, a condition that is ripe for the development of Pythium. Water just enough to keep the soil damp. Always allow any excess water to drain. If you are using a self-watering device, which employs capillary wicking, make sure the pot is not in direct contact with the water. Also, it is strongly recommended that you only use wicks supplied by the manufacturer of the watering device.

Do not let the soil dry out completely before watering. Repeated, sudden changes in the availability of water can cause the same effects as overwatering.

Do not use a pot size that is larger than what your African Violet needs to form a tight rootball. If the pot size is too large, your Violet will not be able to absorb all the water, leaving the plant susceptible to the soggy conditions in which Pythium thrives.

Make sure the pot you use provides adequate drainage. If you are using a plastic pot which has no holes, you can easily add holes yourself with a soldering iron or by simply heating up a screwdriver and pushing it through the bottom of the pot. If you are using a terra cotta pot which has not holes, you can add holes with a drill. For 4-inch pots, use a 1/8-1/4 inch drill bit and drill from the bottom. Do not press too hard. Go slowly and let the drill do the work.

Use a light, porous potting soil. An ideal potting soil will consist of block-harvested, sphagnum peat moss. Such a potting soil allows any excess water to drain away from the roots.

Pasteurize your potting soil.

Maintain good air circulation around your plants. Keep your growing area clean, and remove spent flowers and leaves as you see them.

Finally, you should strongly consider using a recommended self-watering device. Such devices use capillary action to draw the right amount of water into the soil. This prevents both overwatering and underwatering. For miniatures, there is the MiniWell (fits 1-inch pots) and the Optimara WaterShip (fits 2-inch pots). For larger African Violets, there is the MaxiWell (fits 4-inch pots) and the Watermaid (fits various sizes up to 6 inches.) Each of these self-watering devices is available at a number of hardware and discount stores. In addition, they can also be ordered online from the Selective Gardener, a mail order supplier that specializes in plant care products for African Violets.

Important Note on the Use of Pesticides

Please note that almost all pesticides are formulated for specific uses and conditions. When applied incorrectly, pesticides can cause ill health or damage to plants. Therefore, when using any kind of pesticide or chemical treatment, always apply as indicated on the product label.

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