Once a plant is infected, recovery is unlikely. However, efforts to protect surrounding plants include fungicide sprays or drenches which are applied on a preventative basis. Among the compounds registered for use in Connecticut are metalaxyl and fosetyl-Al. Consult the label for dosage rates and safety precautions. Roots in flooded or water-logged soils are damaged and die from oxygen deficiency.
Damage can be sudden or gradual, depending upon the flooding conditions.
Entire plants can die if flooded for only a few days during the growing season. Visible symptoms are often not evident until considerably after and appear as chlorosis or yellowing of the foliage, edema, reduced and stunted growth, twig dieback, needle drop, root death, and in extreme cases, whole plant death. Strategies for minimizing wet soil problems include selection of an appropriate site and use of proper planting practices and cultural practices that maintain plant vigor and stimulate growth. It is also helpful to prune dead or dying tissues to minimize secondary invaders and opportunistic pests. For more information, see the fact sheet on Excess Water Problems on Woody Ornamentals.