The Prevention of Gray Mold of Camellia (Chaga)
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Camellia flowers are particularly vulnerable to a fungal disease that begins with water-soaked lesions on the petals, which gradually spread across the entire bloom. As the infection progresses, the flowers turn brown or dark brown and eventually rot. A distinctive gray, velvety mildew layer often appears on the affected areas, making the disease easily identifiable.
This disease is caused by the fungus *Sclerotinia fuckeliana*, with its anamorph form being *Botrytis cinerea*. The pathogen thrives in conditions of high humidity and low temperatures, making it common during early spring in greenhouses and also in autumn and winter when the weather is cool and moist. In open fields, the disease tends to occur during the rainy season, especially when humidity levels are high. It commonly infects dense clusters of flowers and leaves, spreading rapidly under favorable conditions.
To manage this disease, several control measures can be implemented. First, horticultural practices such as rainproof cultivation should be promoted to reduce moisture buildup around the plants. Additionally, chemical treatments can be applied when the disease is first detected or during the early stages of the growing season. Effective fungicides include 40% pyrimethanil suspension diluted at 1200 times, 50% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 900 times, 50% boscalid wettable powder at 1500 times, 50% myclobutanil wettable powder at 1000 times, and 65% sulfur wettable powder at 1000 times. These products should be applied every 10 days, with a total of 2 to 3 applications for effective control.
Proper monitoring and timely intervention are essential to prevent the spread of the disease and minimize damage to camellia crops. By combining cultural and chemical methods, growers can significantly reduce the impact of this fungal infection.