Blight on camellias caused by the Ciborinia camelliae fungus can be quite noticeable and damaging to the flowers. When a camellia is infected with this fungus, it initially appears as small, brown blotches on the petals. These blotches are irregular in shape and can be easily spotted on the otherwise vibrant and healthy petals.
As the infection progresses, these brown blotches on the petals start to enlarge rapidly. The affected area spreads, eventually covering the entire flower. This rapid expansion of the blight can be quite alarming, as it can quickly turn a beautiful, vibrant flower into a brown and dead one.
One characteristic of blight on camellias is that the infected petals may feel dry or leathery, especially when they are not wet. This is in contrast to healthy petals, which are typically soft and supple. The texture of blighted petals can be quite noticeable when touched, as they may lack the usual delicate and fragile feel. However, despite their dryness or leathery texture, these blighted petals do not easily crumble when handled.
It is important to note that the appearance of blight on camellias may vary slightly depending on the specific camellia variety and the severity of the infection. However, the general pattern of small brown blotches enlarging rapidly and eventually covering the entire flower is characteristic of this fungal infection.
I have personally encountered blight on camellias in my own garden, and it can be disheartening to see the once beautiful blooms succumb to this fungal disease. The first signs of the infection were small brown spots on the petals, and within a few days, these spots had spread and turned the entire flower brown and lifeless. The affected petals had a dry and leathery feel, which was quite different from the healthy petals on the unaffected flowers nearby.
Blight on camellias caused by the Ciborinia camelliae fungus presents as small, brown blotches on the petals that rapidly enlarge and eventually cover the entire flower. The blighted petals may feel dry or leathery, but they do not crumble when handled.
