How to Get Rid of Blight on Baby’s Breath Plants

Baby’s breath is beloved for its cloud-like clusters of tiny white flowers that add airy texture to floral arrangements However, this delicate plant is prone to fungal blights that can quickly ruin its beauty. If you notice brown spots, wilting, or dieback on your baby’s breath, it likely has blight Don’t despair. With prompt treatment, you can get rid of blight and restore the health of your plants.

Identify the Type of Blight

The first step is determining what type of blight is affecting your baby’s breath. Common culprits include leaf blight stem blight, and Botrytis blight. Leaf blight causes distinct brown spots on foliage while stem blight creates sunken lesions on stems and kills entire shoots. Botrytis blight is characterized by a fuzzy gray mold on flowers and leaves. Proper identification allows you to use treatments tailored to the specific blight.

Improve Air Circulation

Blight fungi thrive in stagnant, humid conditions. Improve air flow around plants by thinning overcrowded growth, staking tall stems, and pruning back surrounding plants. Allow a 1-2 foot spacing between baby’s breath plants and don’t cram them into enclosed spaces. Good airflow keeps foliage dry and discourages fungal growth

Avoid Overhead Watering

Water splashing on leaves spreads blight spores. Always water baby’s breath at soil level using soaker hoses or drip irrigation. Water early in the day so foliage dries quickly. Consider planting in raised beds to promote drainage. Drought stress also weakens plants, so maintain even soil moisture.

Apply Fungicide Sprays

Apply fungicides like chlorothalonil, myclobutanil, or copper sprays to protect healthy plants and stop the spread of blight. Follow label instructions carefully. Spray leaf tops and bottoms as well as stems. Fungicides prevent spore germination but don’t cure already infected tissue. Begin applications at the first sign of blight or as a preventative measure.

Use Organic Fungicides

Neem oil, baking soda, and milk sprays can help manage blight organically. These won’t fully eliminate blight but can slow progression when applied diligently. Alternate different organic fungicides and spray every 1-2 weeks. Organic options may be less effective in wet climates favorable to blight fungi.

Remove Infected Plant Parts

Inspect plants regularly and immediately prune off any leaves, shoots, or flowers showing blight. Remove them from the garden and destroy – don’t compost. Sterilize pruners between each cut with isopropyl alcohol to avoid spreading the disease. Removing infected parts limits the breeding ground for blight spores.

Rake and Destroy Fall Leaves

Many blight fungi overwinter on fallen foliage. Rake up and dispose of any baby’s breath leaves in autumn. Destroy debris by burning, burying, or hot composting. Keep the garden free of leaves and other plant litter to reduce inoculum levels the following season.

Allow Soil to Rest

Avoid planting baby’s breath, dianthus, or gypsophila – all susceptible to blight – in the same spot more than 2 years in a row. Let the soil rest for a full year before replanting, or switch to unrelated crops. Crop rotation limits the buildup of disease organisms in the soil.

Grow Resistant Varieties

Select blight-resistant baby’s breath cultivars like ‘Abbey White’, ‘Festival White’, or ‘Snowplume’. While not 100% immune, these varieties are less severely impacted by blight than older types. Prioritize disease resistance when choosing plants to reduce reliance on chemical sprays.

By combining cultural practices, removal of infected parts, fungicides, and improved genetics, you can successfully manage troublesome blight on baby’s breath. Pay close attention and take action at the first sign of disease to protect your plants’ health and keep them looking their best. With diligent care, you can enjoy a bountiful, blight-free baby’s breath crop.