Leaves may become yellow and wilt prior to the actual stem rot. Symptoms of bacterial blight will vary significantly with cultivar and species, as well as with the source of infection. When splashing water caused the inoculation, small water-soaked spots will develop on the leaves. From the initial infection site on the leaves, bacteria may spread through the vascular system resulting in systemic infection. When plants are systemically infected, leaf wilt and plant death occur.
Leaves can have a wedge-shaped necrotic area which is confined between leaf veins.
Roots will appear healthy in those plants unlike plants infected with either Pythium or Verticillium. Infected ivy geraniums do not exhibit the same type of symptoms as zonal geraniums. Ivy geraniums may show symptoms similar to nutrient deficiency or mite damage. Leaves become necrotic with or without wedge-shaped sections. A laboratory analysis is critical for an accurate diagnosis.