Fwd: A plant disease question

[Marge Talt]

I have done this, also, on my wild populations of A. triphyllum,
which rust seems to hit in a random sort of way.  So far (knock on
wood) none of my other species have been affected.

Appears to me (without keeping detailed records) that groups of
plants affected last year, on which I removed all stems and foliage,
have returned this year free of rust.  Rust has hit other plants that
either weren't there last year or didn't have it.  I've even seen
stands this year with one plant affected and not others growing a few
inches away...odd. This seems such a random disease.  Weather doesn't
seem to be a factor nor apparent vigor of the plant.

I pull or cut and bag and trash.  Hate to do it, esp. if the affected
plant is a nice large one with inflorescence, but figure I need to be
vigilant about it to try to reduce the spores of this rust floating
around.  Have not dug the tubers to see if they are affected,
figuring that removing all foliage while in full growth is trauma
enough for the poor things.  Has anybody noticed whether the tubers
of affected plants also exhibit signs of rust fungus?

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt at hort.net
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----------
> From: Tom Stuart <tstuart at westnet.com>
>
> There was a fair amount of the rust in my garden a few years back
on three
> species, and it is apparent in the neighboring woods on A.
triphyllum. Rather
> than dig up and destroy the plants, I just pulled off the stems.
Generally,
> they come back the next year. I have seen no sign of rust yet this
year, a
> very, very wet one. I do not regard this as conclusive, but the
evidence
> currently leans towards this procedure providing adequate control.
>
> Tom Stuart, Croton Falls, New York, USA, Zone 6