Armillaria root rot (Oak root fungus)
Armillaria mellea
Also Known As - Honey fungus,Oak root fungus (Armillaria root rot),Armillaria root rot,Wood decay (general)What is Armillaria root rot (Armillaria mellea)?
Armillaria root rot, caused by Armillaria fungi, affects various plants like trees, palms, ferns, and more. Also known as "oak root fungus," it commonly occurs in California's home gardens, parks, vineyards, and tree crops. Infected plants exhibit symptoms such as decline, wilting leaves, rapid death, bleeding, defoliation, twig dieback, thinning, and flat cankers on the trunk. Armillaria root rot is indicated by the presence of light brown mushrooms, mycelial fans, and black rhizomorphs.
How does Armillaria root rot (Armillaria mellea) occur?
Armillaria root rot spreads through root-to-root contact between plants and by releasing spores through mushrooms. The fungus reproduces vegetatively when roots come into contact with each other. It also reproduces sexually by releasing spores that can colonize dead stumps or woody debris nearby. To establish new growth, two spores with half the parent's genetic material must fuse in the same wood. This process leads to the mushroom formation and spore release for further dissemination.
Symptoms
1 - Effects on plants
The disease can harm the root system of plants, causing decay and rot, leading to reduced root function, poor nutrient uptake, and stunted growth.
2 - Effects on soil
The fungus can alter the microbial composition of the soil, leading to decreased soil fertility, increased soil-borne pathogens, and soil compaction.
3 - Effects on the environment
The disease can negatively impact forest ecosystems by increasing susceptibility to other pests and diseases, causing trees to fall, and disrupting the natural nutrient cycle and energy flow.
Solutions
1 - Plant selection and good cultural practices
• Choose resistant plant species or cultivars that are less susceptible to Armillaria infection. • Ensure proper planting techniques, including proper soil drainage and avoid planting too deeply. • Maintain plant health through proper watering, fertilization, and pruning. • Avoid overwatering or creating waterlogged conditions.
2 - Soil management and removal of infected material
• Improve soil drainage by incorporating organic matter, such as compost, and avoid excessive irrigation. • Promptly remove and destroy infected plants, roots, and stumps to prevent the spread of the fungus.
3 - Chemical Control
• Here are a few fungicides commonly used for controlling Armillaria root rot: phosphite-based fungicides (e.g., potassium phosphite), thiophanate-methyl, metalaxyl, propiconazole, and fluazinam. These fungicides can be effective in managing the disease, • It is important to follow label instructions and consult with professionals for specific recommendations.
Susceptible Species
Strawberry Tree
Common Paw Paw
Carpathian English Walnut
Tuliptree
Arnold Tuliptree
Yellow Variegated Tuliptree
Fastigiatum Tuliptree
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
pineapple guava
sweet almond bush
apple serviceberry
apple serviceberry
pineapple
pineapple
variegated pineapple
pearly everlasting
pearly everlasting
custard apple
strawberry tree
king's spear
Oregon grape-holly
Oregon grape-holly
Oregon grape-holly
Jepson's Oregon-grape
star apple
grape ivy
pineapple broom
pricklyburr
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
border carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
carnation
argyle-apple
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
pearlbush
pearlbush
pearlbush
pearlbush
black walnut
Oregon grape
Oregon grape-holly
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
spearmint
apple mint
balsampear
grape hyacinth
grape hyacinth
grape hyacinth
grape hyacinth
grape hyacinth
prickly-pear
prickly-pear
prickly-pear
plains prickly pear
pearl millet
pearl millet
may-apple
may-apple
may-apple
Chinese pearlbloom
white poplar
eastern cottonwood
black poplar
black poplar
aspen
American aspen
almond
dwarf flowering almond
flowering almond
flowering almond
grape hyacinth
callery pear
callery pear
callery pear
callery pear
common pear
common pear
common pear
dwarf pear
common pear
willowleaf pear
willowleaf pear
willowleaf pear
pear
pear
dappled willow
pineapple sage
pineapple sage
string of pearls
Malaysian apple
tropical almond
summer grape
summer grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
fox grape
grape
seedless grape
fox grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
grape
common grape
grape
grape
grape
Balsam Poplar
Riverbank Grape
atlas broom
Snowy Day Blizzard pearlbush
Oregon grape
Royal Raindrops crabapple
European crabapple
pineapple weed
water spearmint
Asian pear
Irish moss
string-of-pearls
Running Chuckleypear
Tall Pussytoes
Seep Spring Arnica
Halberd Leaf Orache
Boreal Moonwort
Western Moonwort
Triangle Grape Fern
Lanceleaf Grapefern
Lance Leaved Moonwort
Chamomile Grape Fern
Mountain Moonwort
Little Grape Fern
Sweet Almond Bush
False Grape
Cashew Nut
Pineapple
Smooth-barked apple
Pond Apple
Mountain Soursop
Custard Apple (Chirimoya - Cuba)
Golden Sugar Apple
Sugar Apple
Red Pearls Anthurium
Pearl Laceleaf
Pineapple Broom
Pawpaw
King's Spear
Brazilian Prickly Pear
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
Burmese Almondwood
Treebine
Veld grape
Grape Ivy
Arabian Wax Leaf
Possum Grape Vine
Miniature Grape Ivy
Grapefruit
Copey
Grandleaf Seagrape
Red-flowered Sea Grape
Sea grape
Gabon Nut
Garlic Pear Tree
Sacred Garlic Pear
String of peas
African Tree Grape
Tree Grape
Tree Grape
Bastard Cobas
Tree Grape
Bush Pear
Desert Thorn Apple
Thorn Apple
Thorn Apple
Jimsonweed
Pineapple Orchid
Elephant Apple
Katmon
Velvet Apple
Gold Apple
Pink Wild Pear
Wild Pear
Giant Spear Lily
Kei Apple
Ephedra
Argyle Apple
Pineapple Lily
Pineapple Lily
Pineapple Lily
Pearlbush
Feijoa
Mountain Garcinia
Seven Year Apple
Bluegrape jasmine
Colombian walnut
Persian Walnut
Pineapple Zamia
Sunsapote
Wood Apple
Tulip tree
Osage Orange
Mahonia
Black Pearl
Apple
Low Chill Apple
Mammee Apple
Pomme Jacquot
Balsam Apple
Bitter Melon
Mouse's Pineapple
Santa Rita Prickly Pear
Prickly Pear
Prickly Pear
Tree Pear
Spearwood Bush
Sweet Calabash
Bell Apple
Grape Leaved Passion Fruit
Pearcea
Pearcea
Pearcea
Avocado
Apple Leaf
Cocky Apple
Monkey Apple
Amazon Grape
Cinnamon Apple
Broadleaved Lucuma
Almond
Wild Almond tree
African Grape
Southern Pear
Cape Grape
Pineapple Sage
Pineapple Cactus
Spear Head
Cockroach berry
Kangaroo Apple
Tropical Soda Apple
Cork Tree
Gedabu
Peon
Water Cherry
Sea Apple
Rose apple
Malay Apple
Wild Rose Apple
Wax jamboo
Red Bush Apple
Adam's Apple
Eve's Apple
Crape Jasmine
Philippine Almond
Tropical Almond
Madagascar Almond
Tear-shrub
Winter Grape
Muscadine Grape
Grapevines
Wine Grape
Otaheite Walnut
Wild Custard Apple
Elephant Apple
Apple
Amazon Tree Grape
Water Apple
White Apple
Garden Pinks & Carnations
Oregon Grape Holly
Pineapple Guava
Spineless Hardy Prickly Pear
Purple Prickly Pear
Flowering Pear
Grapefruit
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.
