Wound healing takes place if cuttings are laid on damp sand in heavy shade for approximately three hours. They may infect stems singularly or in combination. Stems and petioles blacken and a soft rot develops. Rotting starts at the base of the stem and may extend well above the soil line. Plants wilt and die.
Symptoms progress rapidly.
Control may require sterilizing potting mix and tools. Treat cuttings with a fungicide. A soil drench may retard spread of the disease in propagating benches. Affects blossoms, leaves and stems. On flowers, petals darken at edges and wilt prematurely.