plants wilting in patches on the bed, leaves drying from bottom, scared it is spreading
2 Answers
Wilt is the biggest killer in carnation and prevention matters more than cure. Start with disease free cuttings, well drained raised beds, and soil that has been solarised or treated before planting, because once fusarium is in the bed it is very hard to remove. Pull out and destroy wilting plants immediately so it does not spread along the bed, and avoid waterlogging since wet beds push the disease. Bio agents like Trichoderma and good sanitation help as preventives. If you go for any chemical drench, use only a product labelled for the disease and crop, follow the label dose and any waiting period, and confirm the current recommendation with your KVK or horticulture officer, because cut flower chemical use should be done carefully. Do not replant carnation in the same infected bed without proper soil treatment.
I lost half a bed before I started rogueing the moment I saw a wilt patch. Pull it with the root ball, do not leave it lying in the house. Sanitation is everything with this disease.