Possible Tulip Fire ?

Question: 2nd year planting tulips from reputable sources in deer fenced area. 30 ft bed has possibly tulip fire spreading.  Patchy areas where bulbs sprouted and now dying.  Almost all flowers have splotches on them, noticeable in dark colors and white have brown spots. 

Another raised bed across from this is not effective but monitoring since I read spores can travel.

First mistake, I did not realize I should not plant in the same bed 2 years in a row - lesson learned and will rotate for at least 3-4 years going forward. 

Is this tulip fire?  If so, is the bed ok to use for summer annuals? Suggestions on avoiding next year?

Out of caution, pulling everything to dispose in trash and not composting.

Very sad but looking to learn and improve my gardening skills for next Spring.

Appreciate the review and feedback. 

Thank you very much in advance

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 12:07 PM EDT
response: Is this tulip fire? Please see photos attached from garden

responder: Juanita B, wljbaker@gmail.com  Replied April 20, 2023, 2:24 PM EDT
response: I am not sure why I  received this duplicate request.  If you did not receive a detailed response from me, please respond and I will research again.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 3:46 PM EDT
response: Is this tulip fire? Please see photos attached from garden

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 21, 2023, 3:11 PM EDT
response: Apologies, have not received a reply. Original question posted 4/19 and next action shows closed at 4/19  stating I needed to be specific with my question.  Resubmitted on 4/20 but not sure why it posted at 12:07 and again at 3:46.  Trying to figure out what’s going on with my tulips   thank you in advance  Jamey

responder: Juanita B, wljbaker@gmail.com  Replied April 21, 2023, 8:40 PM EDT
response: Jamey,   Thanks for your patience with this program.  I answered you the first time (0096296).  Obviously there was a glitch somewhere in the system.  I never asked for more specific info because you provided all I needed to research your question.  Based on the pics you provided and my research, your conclusion about tulip fire is likely to be correct.  I am providing some resources and pics so that you can confirm for yourself. I hope the following will help.  Feel free to contact me if you need more info. The first is a research based source. https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/pal/tulip-fire/ Your tulips may have a fungal disease called Botrytis. According to Cornell University’s Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, Botrytis tulipae is specific to tulips and lilies. A more colorful name for this disease is ‘tulip fire.’ Cool and damp spring or summer conditions favor the development of the disease: “Tulip fire infections cause malformations and/or large, light tan patches on tulip leaves. These patches are most noticeable on light-colored varieties. On leaves these infections are somewhat sunken, yellow to light tan, and surrounded by a water-soaked area. On colored petals the spots appear white and on white petals they appear brown.” Since the fungus can overwinter in plant debris, good garden hygiene may help: Clean up any diseased leaves and petals, but not when they are wet.Make sure you don’t water your tulips from above (of course, you can’t stop the rain–just don’t aid and abet it).Avoid congested plantings–provide air circulation around your plants.Ultimately, you may want to dispose of infected plants (don’t compost).Rumor has it that using a grit mulch around your tulips can be helpful as a preventive measure. The Royal Horticultural Society advises that gardeners not plant tulips in a location where Botrytis has been present for three years. According to University of Illinois Integrated Pest Management, there is no point using fungicide where the fungus is already present, but they do describe preventive uses. Always look for the least toxic option. There are some Neem-based fungicides available for home gardeners. An article in the Telegraph by garden writer Sarah Raven gives an excellent overview of the problem and how to manage it. She highly recommends not hesitating to remove infected plants and bulbs at first discovery, the better to keep the disease from spreading. Early tulips are less susceptible, and according to Raven, the most susceptible in her garden are Darwin tulips, while Viridiflora hybrids are unaffected. Avoid cross-contaminating lilies, fritillaries, and Juno irises by planting them at a distance from your tulips. This source reaffirms decisions you have made already. https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/tulip-fire CAN YOU TREAT PLANTS THAT HAVE TULIP FIRE DISEASE? Sadly, there are no chemical controls available for tulip fire. If you've noticed infected plants, remove them from your pots or borders and discard them.  'Tulips should be planted elsewhere in the garden for at least three years afterward,' says Ruth. The good news is, as Monty Don explains on an episode of Gardeners' World(opens in new tab), tulip fire only affects tulips – nothing else. So, you don't need to worry about it spreading to nearby daffodils and other spring blooms.  And if your affected tulips are in spring containers, you can still re-use the soil in your raised beds or borders – just don't put it where you plan to grow tulips next year, Monty advises.     This source has several pics that look very much like yours.     https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/tulip-fire  WHAT IS TULIP FIRE? 'Tulip fire is a fungal disease that wrecks every part of the tulip,' explains Ruth Hayes of Amateur Gardening magazine. 'The problem is caused by the fungus Botrytis tulipae and symptoms include distorted leaves that develop brown spots of dead tissue which spread over the plant. RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...CLOSE0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0% PLAY SOUND'Gray mold may appear on damp soil where tulips grow, and the flowers develop spots and rot,' she adds. What's more, small seed-like structures, known as sclerotia, can appear on the dead tissue. These then contaminate the soil, says the RHS(opens in new tab). Tulip fire causes the leaves to distort(Image credit: Kay Ringwood/Alamy Stock Photo) HOW DO YOU PREVENT TULIP FIRE? Tulip bulbs will start appearing in garden centers in early fall. By all means, buy the tulip varieties you want before they sell out, but it's important to wait until late fall to plant them.  Planting them at this time, rather than too early, will lessen the risk of tulip fire. In the meantime, keep them somewhere cool, dark and dry, says Ruth.  When you get them in the ground, it's best to avoid over-watering or using a wet mulch around them, adds the team at The Illinois Extension Integrated Pest Management Program(opens in new tab). The risks can be minimized further by always buying healthy bulbs from a reputable supplier and discarding any that show signs of rot on their outer scales. Petals can develop blotches if affected by this disease(Image credit: Petr Pohudka/Alamy Stock Photo) CAN YOU TREAT PLANTS THAT HAVE TULIP FIRE DISEASE? Sadly, there are no chemical controls available for tulip fire. If you've noticed infected plants, remove them from your pots or borders and discard them.  'Tulips should be planted elsewhere in the garden for at least three years afterward,' says Ruth. The good news is, as Monty Don explains on an episode of Gardeners' World(opens in new tab), tulip fire only affects tulips – nothing else. So, you don't need to worry about it spreading to nearby daffodils and other spring blooms.  And if your affected tulips are in spring containers, you can still re-use the soil in your raised beds or borders – just don't put it where you plan to grow tulips next year, Monty advises. Tulip fire can make plants appear scorched(Image credit: Nigel Cattlin/Alamy Stock Photo)  Holly Crossley

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 21, 2023, 8:43 PM EDT
response: Apologies, have not received a reply. Original question posted 4/19 and next action shows closed at 4/19  stating I needed to be specific with my question.  Resubmitted on 4/20 but not sure why it posted at 12:07 and again at 3:46.  Trying to figure out what’s going on with my tulips   thank you in advance  Jamey

responder: Juanita B, wljbaker@gmail.com  Replied April 21, 2023, 8:53 PM EDT
response: Reply posted by Juanita Baker at 04/21/2023 8:40 PM Jamey,  Thanks for your patience with this program. I answered you the first time (0096296). Obviously there was a glitch somewhere in the system. I never asked for more specific info because you provided all I needed to research your question. Based on the pics you provided and my research, your conclusion about tulip fire is likely to be correct. I am providing some resources and pics so that you can confirm for yourself. I hope the following will help. Feel free to contact me if you need more info. The first is a research based source. https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/pal/tulip-fire/ Your tulips may have a fungal disease called Botrytis. According to Cornell University’s Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, Botrytis tulipae is specific to tulips and lilies. A more colorful name for this disease is ‘tulip fire.’ Cool and damp spring or summer conditions favor the development of the disease: “Tulip fire infections cause malformations and/or large, light tan patches on tulip leaves. These patches are most noticeable on light-colored varieties. On leaves these infections are somewhat sunken, yellow to light tan, and surrounded by a water-soaked area. On colored petals the spots appear white and on white petals they appear brown.” Since the fungus can overwinter in plant debris, good garden hygiene may help: Clean up any diseased leaves and petals, but not when they are wet.Make sure you don’t water your tulips from above (of course, you can’t stop the rain–just don’t aid and abet it).Avoid congested plantings–provide air circulation around your plants.Ultimately, you may want to dispose of infected plants (don’t compost).Rumor has it that using a grit mulch around your tulips can be helpful as a preventive measure. The Royal Horticultural Society advises that gardeners not plant tulips in a location where Botrytis has been present for three years. According to University of Illinois Integrated Pest Management, there is no point using fungicide where the fungus is already present, but they do describe preventive uses. Always look for the least toxic option. There are some Neem-based fungicides available for home gardeners. An article in the Telegraph by garden writer Sarah Raven gives an excellent overview of the problem and how to manage it. She highly recommends not hesitating to remove infected plants and bulbs at first discovery, the better to keep the disease from spreading. Early tulips are less susceptible, and according to Raven, the most susceptible in her garden are Darwin tulips, while Viridiflora hybrids are unaffected. Avoid cross-contaminating lilies, fritillaries, and Juno irises by planting them at a distance from your tulips. This source reaffirms decisions you have made already. https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/tulip-fireCAN YOU TREAT PLANTS THAT HAVE TULIP FIRE DISEASE? Sadly, there are no chemical controls available for tulip fire. If you've noticed infected plants, remove them from your pots or borders and discard them. 'Tulips should be planted elsewhere in the garden for at least three years afterward,' says Ruth. The good news is, as Monty Don explains on an episode of Gardeners' World(opens in new tab), tulip fire only affects tulips – nothing else. So, you don't need to worry about it spreading to nearby daffodils and other spring blooms. And if your affected tulips are in spring containers, you can still re-use the soil in your raised beds or borders – just don't put it where you plan to grow tulips next year, Monty advises.     This source has several pics that look very much like yours.     https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/tulip-fire  WHAT IS TULIP FIRE? 'Tulip fire is a fungal disease that wrecks every part of the tulip,' explains Ruth Hayes of Amateur Gardening magazine. 'The problem is caused by the fungus Botrytis tulipae and symptoms include distorted leaves that develop brown spots of dead tissue which spread over the plant. RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...CLOSE0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0% PLAY SOUND'Gray mold may appear on damp soil where tulips grow, and the flowers develop spots and rot,' she adds. What's more, small seed-like structures, known as sclerotia, can appear on the dead tissue. These then contaminate the soil, says the RHS(opens in new tab). Tulip fire causes the leaves to distort(Image credit: Kay Ringwood/Alamy Stock Photo) HOW DO YOU PREVENT TULIP FIRE? Tulip bulbs will start appearing in garden centers in early fall. By all means, buy the tulip varieties you want before they sell out, but it's important to wait until late fall to plant them. Planting them at this time, rather than too early, will lessen the risk of tulip fire. In the meantime, keep them somewhere cool, dark and dry, says Ruth. When you get them in the ground, it's best to avoid over-watering or using a wet mulch around them, adds the team at The Illinois Extension Integrated Pest Management Program(opens in new tab). The risks can be minimized further by always buying healthy bulbs from a reputable supplier and discarding any that show signs of rot on their outer scales. Petals can develop blotches if affected by this disease(Image credit: Petr Pohudka/Alamy Stock Photo) CAN YOU TREAT PLANTS THAT HAVE TULIP FIRE DISEASE? Sadly, there are no chemical controls available for tulip fire. If you've noticed infected plants, remove them from your pots or borders and discard them. 'Tulips should be planted elsewhere in the garden for at least three years afterward,' says Ruth. The good news is, as Monty Don explains on an episode of Gardeners' World(opens in new tab), tulip fire only affects tulips – nothing else. So, you don't need to worry about it spreading to nearby daffodils and other spring blooms. And if your affected tulips are in spring containers, you can still re-use the soil in your raised beds or borders – just don't put it where you plan to grow tulips next year, Monty advises.  Jamey, I am posting my answer again