911±¬ÁÏ

Camellia leaf blight is a disease that can be caused by two fungal pathogens: Monochaetia karstenii or Pestalotiopsis species. The development of the disease is favoured by wetness on the leaves and any factors that weaken or damage the foliage.

You may see the following symptoms:

• Discoloured patches develop on the leaves. These soon turn brown, giving the lesions a scorched appearance
• Numerous tiny, black fruiting bodies of the causal fungus develop over the surface of the lesion (damaged area). In wet or very humid conditions these may be seen to exude a black tendril of spores
• Infected leaves often fall prematurely. The infection can spread down the petiole and into the branch, leading to dieback. Affected cuttings may decay completely

The 911±¬ÁÏ believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner.

Non-chemical control

• Good hygiene can help, as do cultural control measures. These include removing affected leaves, twigs or cuttings promptly and destroying them. Where possible, keep leaves dry to prevent dispersal and germination of the spores
• If pruning out affected twigs or branches, disinfect the pruning implement between each cut

Fungicides

The 911±¬ÁÏ recommends that you don't use fungicides. Fungicides (including organic types) may reduce biodiversity, impact soil health and have wider adverse environmental effects. If you do intend to use a fungicide, please read the information given in the link and download below to ensure that use, storage and disposal of the product is done in a responsible and legally compliant manner.
  
The products listed in the ‘Fungicides for gardeners’ document below are legally available for use by home gardeners in the UK. This information is provided to avoid misuse of legal products and the use of unauthorised and untested products, which potentially has more serious consequences for the environment and wildlife than when products are used legally. Homemade products are not recommended as they are unregulated and usually untested.

There is no information available on the efficacy of any home garden fungicide against camellia leaf blight.

Download

Fungicides for gardeners (Adobe Acrobat pdf document outlining fungicides available to gardeners)

Link

Chemicals: storing and disposing safely

Large numbers of spores are produced by the fruiting bodies. The spores are spread by water splash, and will germinate to create new infections if the leaf surfaces stay wet. 

The fungi are generally regarded as weak pathogens, and are much more likely to colonise plant tissue that is damaged, dead or that has been weakened by stress factors.