My mums have been showing green for awhile now, and growing quite a bit. I recently cut them back a little, so they wouldn't bud too early. The kept on growing.. and now, all of a sudden, in a day's time, my biggest, nicest mum, is looking bad! The center of it looks like it's suddenly rotted or something. What's going on? Can I fix this or save it!?





Meg

I'm losing more.. please, does anyone have any ideas why they'd suddenly wilt & look like they are decomposing at the base?? They aren't sitting in any kind of wetness, I water occasionally, and it's breif. They were thriving, this is sudden. More photos..



one piece that just fell off (what most are doing)


Meg

BACTERIAL BLIGHT

This disease is caused by Erwinia chrysanthemi.

The most pronounced symptom is a rot of the upper part of the stem, resulting in wilt and collapse of the distal portion. Infected cuttings may show a brown to black decay at their bases. Occasionally, the only symptom is a marginal leaf scorch.

Prevention and Treatment: Soil in which diseased plants grew should be pasteurized with heat before reuse. Use cuttings that are disease-free, or dip cuttings for 4 hours in solutions of antibiotics such as streptomycin or aureomycin.

credit to Clemson Univ.

mum help

P.S. you should disinfect you clippers between plants. So that you don't cross-contaminate.