Grow resistant cultivars, maintain plant vigor, enhance leaf drying by proper pruning and water early in the day to help avoid leaf spotting and blights. Fungicides provide protection from infection when applied before infection by fungal spores. These diseases, which include water mold diseases, attack a wide variety of plants. They cause damage to roots and crowns of plants. Damage to some of the root system results in poor growth, yellowing or stunting of the plant.
Root rot fungal pathogens are found in almost all soils.
However, they do not survive as well in well-drained soils. These organisms can live in soil for years in a dormant state. Proper cultural practices, such as correct planting depth and improving drainage, are important controls. The tissue may be raised or sunken, discolored or split open. Twig cankers on junipers and leaf and stem blight of pachysandra are common examples.