Lavender growers (farm owners and nurseries) should be concerned about Phytophthora because:
- It is routinely found on U.S. lavender farms.
- It is a killer of lavender plants.
- If not managed properly, it can ruin an entire field for years to come.
- Growers can incur significant financial losses due to this disease.
- The disease can be avoided by adopting proper management strategies.
In this article, we will review the properties of the genus Phytophthora, its history, spread, and effects on lavender, as well as how you can avoid introducing this disease on your farm. We will also discuss steps to take if you do find Phytophthora in your plants. In future articles, we will explore in more detail the “best management practices” for industry standards.