Common diseases of butterfly flowers

Bacterial soft rot

Symptoms

Primarily caused by bacteria of the genus *Eurybacterium*, this disease leads to the rotting of tissues or organs in butterfly plants, mainly affecting plant organs, tubers, and stem bases. During the disease's onset, the damage is severe; soft rot caused by bacteria often produces a foul odor due to the decomposition of protein glue by other microorganisms, generating indole.

Prevention and control methods

1. Disinfect the seedlings

2. The pots and utensils used for cultivation must be disinfected.

3. The cultivation method should be appropriate.

4. Use medication for prevention. Agricultural streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and other antibacterial drugs can be used, but the concentration does not need to be very high.

Leaf blight

Symptoms

Summer and autumn are the peak seasons for leaf blight in butterfly flowers. The leaves of the plants are severely affected. Leaf blight will overwinter on the diseased leaves of butterfly flowers. When the temperature is suitable the following year, it will spread to butterfly flowers by wind and rain and cause infection.

Prevention and control methods

1. In autumn, thoroughly remove diseased leaves and gather them in a concentrated area to prevent them from harming the butterfly flowers the following year.

2. Strengthen the cultivation and management of butterfly flowers to control the occurrence of diseases.

3. In areas where the disease is severe during the growing season, spraying can be carried out every ten days. Several consecutive sprayings can effectively prevent and control the disease.

Common pests of butterfly flowers

Pests

This is often caused by the larvae of the borer moth, snails, and slugs. It usually damages the roots of the butterfly flower from June to August each year, and the adult moths are often induced to lay eggs in uncomposted organic fertilizer.

Prevention and control methods

It can be controlled by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate. Alternatively, it can be sprayed with 3% lime water in the evening.