Ilex Schilling Diseases (4 Common Diseases with Treatments)

You’re working on your ilex production giving the best effort. But you suddenly noticed that you’re having difficulties with its growth. It’s the issue of schilling diseases. It sounds scary but staying put won’t solve the problem. 

So, what are the ilex schilling diseases?

Well, there are mainly 4 types of schilling diseases. One of those most common diseases is black root rot. Phytophthora root rot is another ilex schilling disease. Besides, tar spot is quite a vulnerable disease of ilex. Finally, the nematode is a disease that might be pretty common for your ilex.

Reading up to this doesn’t make it that clear to you about the issue. So, give it a proper read to know about it in depth!

Sounds good? Let’s hop into it then!

4 Common Ilex Schilling Diseases with Treatment

We’ve already got a brief about the common schilling diseases. Now, it’s time to know about them and their treatment. 

As a result, the disorders are detailed here, along with treatment and steps to follow.

1. Black Root Rot

The fungus that causes black root rot is Thielaviopsis basicola. The root system is largely affected by this fungus, which lowers plant vitality. 

Stunting of terminal growth, and interveinal chlorosis are examples of aboveground signs. 

Infected roots range in color from dark brown to black. They usually originate at the root tips. During dry conditions, plants with severe root rot would normally degrade and perish.

Prevention And Treatment

The fungus can live in the soil for several years. They can live even in the absence of vulnerable plants. The development of black root rot is aided by high soil moisture and cold soil temperatures. 

Because sick plants cannot be treated. However, fungicide drenches are not generally advised for landscape application.

Remove affected plants. Then replace them with other shrubs or holly species that are resistant to the disease. American holly and Yaupon holly are both moderately resistant. 

Japanese hollies, on the other hand, are particularly sensitive to black root rot. Use raised beds in landscape plantings to provide optimum drainage.

2. Phytophthora Root Rot

The Phytophthora species causes root rot in hollies. These are grown in areas with inadequate drainage. Disease growth may also be aided by over-mulching and planting too deeply.

The symptoms of this illness and black root rot are very similar. Yellowing of the leaves is common during the early stages of the sickness. Early leaf drops are also common as well.

One or more of the limbs may eventually wilt and die. It returns the main trunk to its original state. A brown to a black streak of dead tissue that runs the length of the body is possible. This is the case, from one area of decaying roots to the damaged limb.

The root system will frequently continue to deteriorate until the plant dies.

Prevention And Treatment

Root rot disease is unhealthy even in well-maintained, strong plants. But it is far more susceptible in stressed hollies. Always choose hollies that are suited to the temperature and soil conditions in your area. 

Because hollies can neither bear with very cold nor very hot weather.

On unhealthy container plants, root rot pathogens are frequently transferred into the environment. To avoid introducing these illnesses, choose hollies with robust roots and rich foliage color.

The disease can be reduced by using excellent cultural practices. Practices like proper fertilization, soil moisture control, and good drainage are required. Japanese hollies are particularly susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.

In a variety of techniques, high temperatures have been utilized to combat Phytophthora. In polluted soil or on planting containers, steam heat is excellent at killing Phytophthora. 

If you want to reuse pots, soak them in hot (180°F) water beforehand. It should take at least 30 minutes or 30 minutes with aerated steam (140°F).

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3. Tar Spot

Macroderma curtisii is the fungus that causes this sickness. It was previously known as Rhytisma curtisii and Phacidium curtisii. Yellow dots appear on the leaves of American and English hollies in the month of May.

By the fall, they’ve become reddish-brown, then black. In years when there has been a lot of rain, berries and leaves are visible.

Prevention And Treatment

Remove and destroy leaves that have been badly marked. Prune them to increase air circulation and reduce crowding. Then clean up and dispose of fallen leaves.

You can also do another thing. Rank the leaves and dispose of them by burning, bagging, or combining them. This would eliminate the nearest tar spot spore source. 

4. Nematodes

Because of their minuscule size, ring, sting, and spiral nematodes are rarely seen. They live in organic matter in the soil or on the roots and other parts of living plants.

The majority of parasitic nematodes eat by sucking plant fluids with a stylet. They harm plants by directly eating on them or injuring tissue. 

Moreover, these allow other disease organisms to enter. The only sign is frequently planted deterioration. Stunting, chlorosis, and leaf drop occur as a result of this.

Prevention And Treatment

There are currently no approved pesticides for the control of nematodes. All sick plant material and soil should be removed from the area. Plant resistant types in soils free of nematodes.

These are the main and most common ilex schilling diseases. Nevertheless, you can treat them properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why do I see my holly bushes’ leaves browning?

Answer: A warning sign is the occurrence of big brown splotches on the leaves. It could indicate that your holly plant has been damaged by the elements. Water your holly if the rainfall falls below 1 inch each week. This would ensure the roots get enough hydration.

Question: Can I save a dying holly tree?

Answer: Pruning shears should be used to remove any diseased leaves from the bush. Remove any leaves that show signs of being infested with insects. Apply a carbaryl-containing pesticide soap on the leaves. The carbaryl will kill both scale insects and leaf miners in the bush.

Question: How to trim a holly bush?

Answer: Deciduous hollies have their own set of pruning requirements. To improve their shape, trim back these strong growers every year in late winter. Thicker-than-a-thumb stems should be trimmed to the ground. However, never cut more than a third of the shrub.

Final Words

Now, you’ve got the idea about ilex schilling diseases. We hope we could give you enough details about the diseases and the treatment.

Happy Gardening!