Question
QUESTION: I have lived with a peace lilly named percival for approx 11 years. We recently babysat a friends peace lilly who I believe came in with a systemic fungicide that developed slowly (blackened leaves and flowers as well as white growth at the base of the plant and on the top of the soil). This plant died and now percival has contracted the disease. I have repotted him and am using a fungicide but he continues to deteriorate. There is new growth coming through, but is starting to blacken before the leaves open. The flowers too are blackening before opening. My nursery is out of ideas. Please help, if there is anything I can do for him I am willing to try.

ANSWER: Amanda,

A systemic fungicide is what you need to treat a fungal infection. However if you anve used a fungicide and it is not doing anything you may have a bacterial infection or it may be something as simple as overwatering. Peace lilies are very sensitive to overwatering. They need to get very dry between waterings. If your friend was overwatering hers it could have gotten a becterial infection which could have indeed spread to yours if they were side by side or close and there were fungus gnats around to spread it.

Make sure you leat your plant get very dry between waterings and never let it sit with water in the drain tray, empty it an hour after watering. Then spray the entire plant well twice a week thoroughly with a Lysol spray type spray. It will kill bacteria and fugus. Make sure you keep it 12 inches from the plant and get the fronts and backs of all leaves and the surface of the soil. Do this consistantly twice a week for three months and you should be rid of your problem. If it comes back repeat but if you don't overwater it the problem should not come back.

Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hey darlene, it is possible the visitor was over watered. The two peace lilly's were living in the same room approx 4m apart. But Perce has never been over watered. Up until the last 6 months was huge, healthy and happy.

Now, when I went to cut back the infected areas and repot he was very soggy and suffering root rot. I have been using a fungicide that treats phytophthora but not pythium and wondered if it would be better to switch? As stated there is definitely white growth occuring at the base of the stems.

do you still recommend an antibacterial spray?

Answer
Amanda,

Yes, it is quite possible that the guest peace lily being overwatered started it all. If it was that makes it more susceptible to fungal or bacterial infections and may have gotten one just before coming to your house.

Yes, I would try switching fungicides to one labeled for pythium since the one you are using does not seem to be effective. It will also not hurt to use the antibacterial spray at the same time. Just remember that anything in the plant world takes time. It will not heal in a few days. It will take time. Look for the improvements to be small and be patient. Good luck.

Darlene