Varnish fungus rot
Ganoderma lucidum
What is Varnish fungus rot (Ganoderma lucidum)?
Ganoderma lucidum, also known as varnish fungus or reishi mushroom, is a wood-rotting fungus that affects trees globally. It causes Ganoderma rot, a severe and often fatal tree disease. Susceptible species include maples, oaks, honeylocusts, ashes, elms, and conifers. The fungus attacks tree roots and lower trunks, leading to decay and structural weakness. Symptoms include yellowing, wilting, undersized leaves, dead branches, and the formation of shelf-like fruiting bodies (conks) on the lower trunk and exposed roots.
How does Varnish fungus rot (Ganoderma lucidum) occur?
During humid summers, new spores are released from conks, which are reproductive structures. These spores infect open wounds on the root flares and lower trunk of susceptible trees. Once germinated, the spores cause infection, attacking the sapwood of major roots and the lower trunk. As time passes, the decayed wood increases, resulting in soft and spongy wood in critical tree areas. The conks, produced yearly, appear in summer and fall, eventually decaying and deteriorating.
Symptoms
1 - Impact on Plant Health
Ganoderma rot causes tree decay and death by attacking the roots and lower trunk. Prompt removal of infected trees is necessary due to rapid decay progression, leading to tree death within 3 to 5 years.
2 - Soil Health
Fungus contributes to organic matter recycling in the soil by decomposing the wood of infected trees. This releases nutrients, benefiting soil fertility and supporting other organisms. However, extensive colonization can deplete wood resources in the soil.
3 - Environmental Impact
Fungi causing tree death disrupt ecosystems by removing habitat and food sources, impacting ecological balance, while decaying wood supports other decomposers, affecting environmental decomposition processes.
Solutions
7 - Prevention and Early Detection
• Choose resistant tree species and cultivars for the specific site conditions. • Minimize wounds and injuries to tree trunks and roots, especially during landscaping or maintenance activities. • Conduct routine checks for signs of fungal infection, including conks, wilting leaves, and dead branches.
8 - Tree Maintenance and Care
• Implement proper planting, watering, fertilizing, and pruning techniques to promote tree health and vigor. • Address environmental stresses, such as improving soil conditions, managing water effectively, and addressing nutrient deficiencies. • Promptly remove and dispose of infected branches to prevent further spread of the fungus.
9 - Professional Intervention
• Specific fungicides for treating Ganoderma lucidum infections in trees are not available. However, systemic fungicides like propiconazole and thiabendazole are commonly used for managing other tree diseases. • Professionals may suggest specific treatments, such as fungicides or other disease management techniques. • In cases of advanced decay or compromised structural integrity, professional intervention may involve the safe removal of infected trees to prevent accidents and further spread of the fungus.
Susceptible Species
Peaches And Cream Japanese Maple
Strawberry Tree
Common Paw Paw
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Golden Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Variegated Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Russian Olive
Akane Apple
Ambrosia Apple
Belle de Boskoop Apple
Braeburn Apple
Candied Apple Flowering Crab
Chehalis Apple
Cortland Apple
Cox's Orange Pippin Apple
Dolgo Apple
Donald Wyman Flowering Crab
Elstar Apple
Gala Apple
Golden Delicious Apple
Golden Russet Apple
Granny Smith Apple
Gravenstein Apple
Honeycrisp Apple
Jonagold Apple
Jonathan Apple
Liberty Apple
Lodi Apple
Louisa Flowering Crab
Macintosh Apple
Melrose Apple
Norland Apple
Pink Lady Apple
Red Delicious Apple
Red Jewel Flowering Crab
Scarlet Pippin Apple
Sentinel Flowering Crab
Snowdrift Flowering Crab
Spartan Apple
Summerland Apple
Wealthy Apple
Yellow Transparent Apple
Zestar Apple
Arbequina European Olive
pineapple guava
serviceberry
apple serviceberry
apple serviceberry
pineapple
pineapple
variegated pineapple
custard apple
strawberry tree
willow bell
willow bell
peach-leaved bellflower
willow bell
willow bell
willow bell
star apple
cornelian cherry dogwood
Japanese cornelian cherry
pineapple broom
pricklyburr
thorny olive
autumn olive
argyle-apple
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
olive-leaved gromwell
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
crabapple
apple
Siberian crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
crabapple
flowering crabapple
crabapple
apple
Japanese crabapple
crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
apple
dwarf apple
columnar apple
columnar apple
dwarf apple
Sargent crabapple
Sargent crabapple
flowering crabapple
crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
redbud crabapple
apple mint
olive
fragrant olive
fragrant tea olive
fragrant tea olive
holly olive
holly olive
sweet olive
may-apple
may-apple
may-apple
bird cherry
bird cherry
bird cherry
bird cherry
cherry
cherry laurel
cherry plum
cherry plum
cherry plum
cherry plum
purple-leaf sand cherry
David's peach
cherry
Japanese flowering cherry
cherry laurel
cherry laurel
Manchurian cherry
sour cherry
Taiwan cherry
bird cherry
bird cherry
bird cherry
bird cherry
bird cherry
weeping higan cherry
dwarf peach
peach
ornamental peach
dwarf peach
peach
peach
Sargent cherry
Sargent cherry
black cherry
ornamental cherry
Japanese flowering cherry
Mount Fuji cherry
weeping higan cherry
semi-dwarf cherry
higan cherry
higan cherry
downy cherry
chokecherry
chokecherry
yoshino cherry
dappled willow
pineapple sage
pineapple sage
Malaysian apple
Pin Cherry
atlas broom
Royal Raindrops crabapple
European crabapple
pineapple weed
tea olive
flowering cherry
ornamental cherry tree
double weeping Higan cherry
Strawberry Ground-Cherry
Cherry Allamanda
Cashew Nut
Pineapple
Smooth-barked apple
Pond Apple
Mountain Soursop
Custard Apple (Chirimoya - Cuba)
Golden Sugar Apple
Sugar Apple
Albino Berry
Pineapple Broom
Pawpaw
Peach Palm
Florida Black Olive Tree
Spiny Black Olive
False Olive
Swallow-Wort
Cocky apple
Seven-year Apple
Dwarf Apple Blossom Tree
Apple Blossom Tree
Apple Blossom Tree
Pink Shower Tree
Palmilla
Night Blooming Cereus
Caimito
Copey
Texas Olive
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Desert Thorn Apple
Thorn Apple
Thorn Apple
Jimsonweed
Pineapple Orchid
Elephant Apple
Katmon
Velvet Apple
Gold Apple
Kei Apple
Blue Olive Berry
Ceylon Olive
False Olive
Argyle Apple
Pineapple Lily
Pineapple Lily
Pineapple Lily
Cherry of the Rio Grande
Beach Cherry
Surinam Cherry
Baja Spurge
Feijoa
Indian Coffee Plum
Seven Year Apple
Turnsole
Hibiscus Jane Cowel Double peach
Wild peach
Pineapple Zamia
Sunsapote
Wood Apple
Osage Orange
Barbados Cherry
Barbados-Cherry
Apple
Low Chill Apple
Mammee Apple
Pomme Jacquot
Spanish Cherry
Balsam Apple
Bitter Melon
Mouse's Pineapple
Mussaenda Queen Sirikit
Madagascar olive
Olive
Delavay Osmanthus
Tea Olive
Holly Osmanthus
Sweet Calabash
Bell Apple
Apple Leaf
Ground Cherry
Cocky Apple
Monkey Apple
Cinnamon Apple
Broadleaved Lucuma
Wild Cherry
Taiwan Cherry
Cherry Plum
Himalayan flowering cherry
Chinese Bush Cherry
Hollyleaf Cherry
Cherry Laurel
Peach
Tibetan Cherry
Japanese Cherry
Nanking Cherry
Yoshino cherry
Buccaneer Palm
Candlewood
Pineapple Sage
African Peach
Pineapple Cactus
Cockroach berry
Winter Cherry
Kangaroo Apple
Tropical Soda Apple
Cork Tree
Gedabu
Water Cherry
Scrub Cherry
Sea Apple
Rose apple
Malay Apple
Wild Cinnamon
Australian Brush Cherry
Wild Rose Apple
Wax jamboo
Red Bush Apple
Adam's Apple
Eve's Apple
False Olive
Thai Cherry
Wild Custard Apple
Herbert River Cherry
West African Cherry Orange
Elephant Apple
Beach Cherry
Brunei Cherry
Apple
Catalina Island Cherry
Water Apple
White Apple
Brush Cherry
Sweet Olive
Pineapple Guava
Olive Trees and Dwarf Olive Trees
FAQ
Do shade growing plants need any Sunlight?
Shade growing plants do need sunlight, although they require less than other plants. They need some direct sunlight each morning to help them photosynthesize and grow properly. Also, indirect sunlight throughout the day helps them stay healthy. Shade growing plants will benefit from the sunshine, but if they get too much or too little, then they can suffer the consequences. It's important to pay attention to the needs of your plants so that you can provide them with the proper light for optimal growth.
How often should you water indoor plants?
Indoor plants should be watered when the soil feels dry to a depth of about two inches, usually about once a week. A helpful technique to determine your plants' watering needs is to feel the soil before and after watering to get a sense of how long it takes to dry out. An important note to remember is that some plants require less water than others, and it's best to research the specific needs of your individual plants. Likewise, if your home is very dry, you might need to water more often as the lack of moisture can stress the plants and lead to problems like brown leaves and wilted stems.
Can my monstera plant get root rot?
Yes, a plant can get root rot. Root rot is a fungal disease that can be caused by over-watering, poor soil drainage, or high humidity levels in the air. Signs of root rot include yellowing leaves, wilting and stunted growth, and damaged or browning root systems. Sometimes it is difficult to detect root rot until the plant is removed from the soil, as the problems are mainly below the soil surface. Treating root rot usually involves removing the affected parts of the plant and replanting the unaffected ones.
Can I put my Monstera outside in summer?
No, you should not put your Monstera outside in summer. Monstera plants need warm, humid air to thrive, and direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Instead, put your Monstera in a bright, sunny spot with indirect light, making sure the sun never directly hits the leaves. During the summer, keep your Monstera's soil damp and mist it occasionally to keep the leaves hydrated. At nighttime, keep the temperature around 16 - 21°C (60 - 70°F). You can definitely take your Monstera outdoors for short periods of time, just make sure to bring it back in if it starts to get too hot.
What happens if my monstera plant gets too cold?
If your monstera plant gets too cold, it will become vulnerable to pests, disease, or other damage. Cold temperatures can damage the leaves of the plant, causing them to become spotted or limp. The roots of monstera plants may also suffer in cold temperatures, leading to root rot or other diseases. Belonging to the tropical family, monsteras are used to warm environments and do not do well in cold temperatures, so it is important to ensure your plant is kept in conditions that suit their needs.
Is it possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space?
Yes, it is possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space. Gardening in a small space can be as simple as growing a few containerized plants in pots and raised beds, or as elaborate as vertically stacking planters, hanging pouches, and hanging baskets on a wall, railing, or fence. Regardless of the size of the space you are working with, some simple techniques such as companion planting, organic fertilizers, and water conservation can help you get the most out of your small vegetable garden.
Is peppermint herb green good for digestion?
Peppermint herb is indeed beneficial for digestion. The flavonoids in the herb support digestion by reducing inflammation in the digestive track, aiding in digestion and relieving indigestion, heartburn, and even the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, peppermint is naturally rich in menthol, which helps to relax the muscles of the stomach, aiding in the digestion of food. Peppermint herb can be consumed in a variety of forms, such as teas, tinctures and capsules, as well as by adding the herb to food or directly to water or tea.
Should peppermint herb green be consumed daily?
No, peppermint herb green should not be consumed daily. This is because it contains high levels of menthol, which can be toxic if taken in large doses. Additionally, consuming large amounts of peppermint herb green could interfere with the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, potentially causing vitamin deficiencies. For these reasons, it is best to consult with a doctor before incorporating peppermint herb green into your daily diet.
