Bud Blast

Seifertia azaleae

Key Features


  • Sparse flowering
  • Blighted bud
  • Buds that look like pin cushions
Fruiting body of bud blast resembles pin cushions
Close up showing unique fruiting bodies. Photo by Garrett Taylor.

Symptoms


Flower buds turn brown and fail to open in the spring. They are later covered by black fruiting structures that look like pin cushions.

Biology


This disease occurs in the early spring.

Management Recommendations


There are no fungicides labeled to control this problem. Remove the infected buds by hand to reduce fungal inoculum.

Effective Pesticides


Pesticides are neither available nor recommended for managing this disease.

landscape report
Purdue Landscape Report
PPDL
Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory