Eranthis fungal attack

[mark smyth]

This is the first year I have seen this fungal attack on my Eranthis Guinea Gold. I have now removed the stems. What is it?

[JohnLonsdale]

A smut fungus.  Now those sori have erupted you'll have spores everywhere.  Best dig up the soil for 2 meters all around the plant to a depth of a meter and fill with concrete impregnated with a systemic fungicide.

[mark smyth]

  Very drastic. My raised bed is about that size. Will a good spray with fungicide work?

[JohnLonsdale]

No, there's nothing to spray now the fungus has completed its life-cycle for the year.  The spores will sit in the soil until next spring when they will germinate and re-infect the emerging growths.  Smut fungi can be difficult to treat - commercial crops are generally treated at the seed stage.  At this stage I'd consider moving house - Urocystis eranthidis has a very broad host range - even including some Orchidaceae like Dactylorrhiza.  Orchid growers call it the silent death - initial symptoms are similar to regular variegation.  

Good luck.

John

[David Nicholson]

Ohhhhhhh dear!!