| Disease |
Symptoms |
Pathogen/Cause |
Management |
| Basal Rot |
Large spots on bulbs are dark brown. White or
pink fungal growth forms on the bulbs. Flowers from infected
bulbs are deformed. Foliage dies prematurely. |
Fusarium oxysporum
f. sp. tulipae |
Do not plant bulbs that have white or pink fungus
on them. |
| Blue Mold |
Bulbs
have bluish-colored fungal growth on their surfaces and, in
extreme cases, between the scales. |
Penicillium |
Purchase fungicide-treated bulbs. Discard affected
bulbs. Propiconazole can be applied to protect plants. |
| Fire |
Leaves may fail to emerge or may be stunted
or deformed. The shoots may curl to one side. Dead spots
are surrounded by dark green. Spots turn white or yellow and
have small black granules (sclerotia) in them. |
Botrytis tulipae |
Purchase fungicide-treated bulbs. Apply chlorothalonil,
mancozeb, iprodione, or thiophanate methyl to protect healthy
plants. |
| Pythium Root Rot |
Bulbs have soft, gray spots with brown borders
at the base of the bulb. Shoots fail to emerge. |
Pythium spp. |
Plant in chemically or steam-pasteurized potting
mix. Discard infected plants. |
| Stem and Bulb Nematode |
Bulbs have gray to brown patches that feel spongy.
Bulbs feel lighter than normal at planting and the interior
of the bulb is mealy in texture. |
Ditylenchus dipsaci |
Purchase and plant hot water treated bulbs. Discard
infected bulbs. |
| Viruses |
Leaves may be mottled, have yellow flecks or
stripes. Flower color may break or flowers may be distorted. |
Many viruses are known including tulip breaking,
tobacco necrosis, tobacco rattle, tobacco mosaic, and cucumber
mosaic virus |
Discard infected plants. Purchase virus-free
plants. |
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