Petal blight is a fungus that causes the flowers to turn brown and rot early. Despite strict import restrictions, it has recently been found in the UK, having spread from other parts of the world where it is a problem.

It likes hot humid conditions, attacking flowers as they open but not affecting the rest of the plant. The brown spreads from the centre outwards. Look at the back of a dropped flower; where the petals were joined to the stalk, there will be white threads like cotton wool.

Spraying will not help, but clear up and burn the infected flowers to prevent dormant spores forming and causing more trouble next year. Hopefully, spring in the UK is cool enough for this not to become a common problem.

Sponsored by the Camellia Grove Nursery U.K. Sponsored by the Camellia Grove Nursery U.K.