Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Christmas cactus diseases. Disease Symptoms Pathogen/Cause Management Basal Stem Rot
At the soil line, a brown spot forms. As the tissue dies, it becomes tan and falls away, removing tissue from the edge to the heavy center vein tissue. Fusarium oxysporum Do not injure plants at the soil line. Apply a fungicide to protect healthy plants. Botrytis Blight
Flowers die and become covered with gray fungal growth. Under very high humidity conditions, stems may be attacked. Botrytis cinierea Heat and ventilate to maintain low relative humidity in the greenhouse. Apply a fungicide to protect healthy plants. Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus Plants may be symptomless or may be yellowed, spotted, or wilted. Impatiens necrotic spot virus Holiday cactus can be symptomless carriers of this virus and serve as a source of this virus for other plants in the greenhouse. Destroy plants with unusual symptoms. Maintain strict thrips control throughout the year. Phytophthora Root Rot Roots rot and plants turn gray-green, wilt and die. Phytophthora parasitica Plant in pasteurized potting mix. Discard infected plants. Apply a fungicide to protect healthy plants. Pythium Root Rot Plants wilt and die. Pythium spp. Plant in pasteurized potting mix. Discard infected plants. Apply a fungicide to protect healthy plants.

Fusarium basal rot.