| Fritillaria Problems | |
|---|---|
| Symptom | Probable Cause |
| Blooms Undersized; Plants Weaker | Crowding |
| Leaves Yellow; Chewed | Weevils |
| Leaves Turn Yellow; Drop Prematurely | Leaf Spot |
| Pale Areas; Powdery Spots On Leaves | Rust |
Blooms Undersized; Plants Weaker Caused By Crowding
After several years, depending on how closely the fritillary bulbs were planted originally, they will have produced many young offsets and the bed is so crowded the plants are deprived of nutrients. After the foliage has died back and the bulbs are dormant, dig them up and gently separate young offsets from parent bulbs. Replant all of the bulbs that seem healthy with proper spacing described above.
Leaves Yellow; Chewed,Weevils
Two types of weevils sometimes attack fritillaria plants. The grub of the lily weevil damages the stems below the soil. The adult black vine weevil affects leaves and roots. It is a snout beetle, about 3/8 inch long, which chews up fritillary foliage during the night. It causes a distinctive scalloped pattern along leaf edges. Larvae of this black vine weevil are brown-headed white grubs about 3/8 inch long. They hatch from eggs deposited in the soil in July and August by the adult weevil and they feed on plant roots deep in the soil while they are in this stage. These pests are notoriously difficult to control. Once the damage is noted on its foliage, dust the fritillary, its foliage, stems and flowers, as well as the soil around the plant thoroughly with sabidilla. Repeat this step in five days or sooner if rains wash the powder off. For more information see the file on Controlling Weevils.
Leaves Turn Yellow; Drop Prematurely Caused By Leaf Spot
Fritillary leaves infected by this fungus disease turn straw yellow or brown and are thickly dotted with small black fruiting bodies. Leaf spot usually attacks foliage already weakened by some other cause. Control the spread of the disease by removing all diseased leaves from the plant and destroying them. Remove fallen dead plant debris promptly from the garden to reduce overwintering spore populations. Dig up and discard seriously infected plants together with their neighboring soil. Mulching helps prevent splash-borne infection in neighboring plants. After their bloom period, divide overcrowded plants to improve air circulation around the foliage. Be sure bulb soil drains well. Feed bulbs to maintain vigor. For more information see the file on Controlling Fungal Disease
Pale Areas; Powdery Spots On Leaves Caused By Rust
Rusts are caused by various fungi that attack the foliage of many plants, including fritillaries. Rust infections usually appear as numerous rust-colored, orange, yellow or white, powdery, raised localized spots on leaves and sometimes flowers. Infected leaves wilt and wither and the plants may be stunted. Remove infected leaves as soon as possible. Remove and destroy all garden debris which may harbor spores before growth starts in the spring. Rust can be prevented by periodic sprays of wettable sulfur on plant foliage, begun several weeks before rust normally appears. Space plants widely apart for good ventilation, and avoid wetting foliage when watering. For more information see the file on Controlling Fungal Disease
