Questions on: Rudbeckia Ron Smith, Horticulturist, NDSU Extension Service

Q: Can you tell me what is wrong with my rudbeckia leaves? The plant blooms beautifully. Only the leaves are affected. (Platte, S.D.)

A: The leaf decay on your rudbeckia is caused by a blight or gray mold (Botrytis sp.). Clean up all leaf litter to allow proper aeration of the soil near the base of the flowers. Either disease spreads easily in damp conditions. Furthermore, sprays can be applied in the spring as a preventive measure. Examples are Captan, thiram, benomyl or maneb. 

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