Small buds which turn black and fail to open, larger flower buds which turn brown and partially opened and distorted flowers are all signs of botrytis blight. Peony-blight, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea develops rapidly in cool wet weather It may attack the stems at soil level causing them to wilt and fall over but the major impact of the disease is on the flower buds. It will cause them to brown and blacken as well as causing the flower to be distorted. The best control is sanitation. Remove all diseased plant parts as soon as they appear and dispose of immediately in the garbage. Do not use for compost. Remove and destroy all stalks in the fall, cutting just below soil level.

This page was last updated May 2003

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