Tulip Diseases
Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Tulip
diseases.
Disease
Symptoms
Pathogen/Cause
Management
Basal Rot
Large spots on bulbs are dark
brown. White or pink fungal
growth forms on the bulbs.
Flowers from infected bulbs
are deformed. Foliage dies
prematurely.
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
tulipae
Do not plant bulbs that have
white or pink fungus on them.
Purchase and plant
fungicide-treated bulbs.
Fire
Leaves may fail to emerge or
may be stunted or deformed.
The shoots may curl to one
side. Dead spots are
surrounded by dark green.
Spots turn white or yellow and
have small black granules
(sclerotia) in them.
Botrytis tulipae
Purchase fungicide-treated
bulbs. Apply a fungicide to
protect plants.
Pythium Root Rot
Bulbs have soft, gray spots
with brown borders at the base
of the bulb. Shoots fail to
emerge.
Pythium
Plant in chemically or
steam-pasteurized potting mix.
Discard infected plants.
Stem and Bulb Nematode
Bulbs have gray to brown
patches that feel spongy.
Bulbs feel lighter than normal
at planting and the interior of
the bulb is mealy in texture.
Ditylenchus dipsaci
Purchase and plant hot water
treated bulbs. Discard infected
bulbs.
Viruses
Leaves may be mottled, have
yellow flecks or stripes.
Flower color may break or
flowers may be distorted.
Many viruses are known
including tulip breaking,
tobacco necrosis, tobacco
rattle, tobacco mosaic, and
cucumber mosaic virus.
Discard infected plants.
Purchase virus-free plants.
Fire (Botrytis).
Blue mold.
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Tulip Diseases
Blue mold.
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Tulip Diseases