"Treelady" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Apr 21, 11:41 am, "Liz" wrote:
Hi

I bought a large (4ft) container-grown Viburnum tinus from a supplier in
Leicestershire in late February.
It seemed fairly healthy when it arrived apart from some small black-spot lesions
on
the older growth.
It has been planted in semi-shade with sun all morning and again in the later
afternoon and evening and is sheltered from the prevalent south-westerly winds.
Although we are costal north Cumbria we get very little wind coming from the
north to
carry any potential salt spray. The Viburnum was planted in a well-prepared hole
with FYM and blood, fish and bone. It has been regularly watered and this spring
it
has been liquid fed on several occasions since planting as it has started to look
poorly. Since planting we have had frost on one or two nights and even then only
mild
frost.

Over the last month or so, last year's growth has become yellowish and the
black/grey
leaf lesions have spread. Some in-bud flower heads have turned brown and
dropped -
others are now starting to open and look quite healthy. There is a reasonable
amount
of leaf and bud drop but I can't see any characteristic stem lesions as yet.

I have contacted the nursery this morning as I was suspicious of Phytophthora
ramorum
infection. Interestingly he said they had just had another shipment of Viburnum
tinus in from Italy (where I know it has been recorded) and he is investigating
this
recent shipment for suspected Phytophthora ramorum infection.

I have just emailed some photos to the nursery and will send them some samples.
I
have also saved some samples in the fridge in case I need to send to defra.

Maybe I'm just being a little neurotic but I have posted some images on my
website
and I would be interested in comments, especially from people with experience of
this
disease.

Many thanks

Liz

Images can be found at:


http://www.libtib.org.uk/viburnum/vi.../viburnum/vibu
rnum4.jpghttp://www.libtib.org.uk/viburnum/viburnum5.jpghttp://www.libtib.org.uk/vibu
rnum/viburnum6.jpghttp://www.libtib.org.uk/viburnum/viburnum7.jpg

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Phytopthora, so I have read, was introduced into this country via
Rhodendron and Viburnum on
imported nursery stock. The presence of Phytopthora has increased over
recent years,
the drought conditions weakens trees already susceptible to the
pathogen, giving it a stronger foothold.
Many Horse Chestnut trees, throughout the country, have suffered its
effects .
Personally, if I suspected my Viburnum had Phytopthora I would dig it
up and immediately burn it, and
(against my normal habits) disinfect (using a soap based one) the soil/
area in which it grew.Then I would
plant something that will withstand, even flourish, the changes we are
seeing in weather patterns.

Before such dramatic action, I would check a few things: the soil- is
it clay heavy,waterlogged, too dry;
did the roots dry out in transit? was it potbound? how sudden was the
onset of symptoms? etc.
I have only seen Phytopthora in trees, so I cannot help with
diagnosis. If you like your plant, investigate
the predisposing factors, then act.

The nursery were in touch this morning and a defra inspector is on his/her way.
However the Italian supplier said that the symptoms "were normal" for this time of
year.
I sent samples to the nursery which should have arrived today. The nursery say they
will phone once defra have been but they have been very good and said whatever the
outcome, they will refund or replace.

We took a drive around last night after checking the sheep and looked at a few V.
tinus - none of them showed the symptoms that ours is showing - some had the odd
brown mark and some had some road-salt damage but they all looked quite healthy. The
nursery also said he wasn't in agreement with the Italian supplier and that is why he
has called in defra.
Either way, I think it's coming out as even if it is not Phytophthora ramorum the
poor thing is seriously not happy. I would have to severely cut it back to about
half it's height which defeats the purpose of spending the money on a large shrub in
the first place. It was bought to quickly screen the "kitchen garden" from the front
of the house.

The plant was not pot-bound or dried out. It was very well wrapped and protected.
We are on gravel/sand with about 6 inches of "good" soil. However the planting hole
was very well prepared - dug put about twice the depth of the pot and about 3 time
the diameter and filled with a mix of "good" topsoil, FYM and a handful of blood,
fish and bone. We haven't had rain for over a month (until yesterday) so I have been
watering it well as I've had to go around and water a lot of other things too - newly
planted greengages, plums, climbing roses and clematis.

It came with some leaf lesions but did fine for a while - it's only been in the last
few weeks that it has really started to look very ill with the yellowing of last
year's growth and other symptoms mentioned above.

If it turns out to be Phytophthora ramorum I have a lot of work ahead I know!

Thanks
Liz



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