Pyracantha - Ask Extension
I have two pyracanthas, now 5 years old. Both have an exceeding amount of flower clusters. In the last 2-3 weeks both plants have flower clusters th...
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Pyracantha #870116
Asked May 25, 2024, 11:57 PM EDT
I have two pyracanthas, now 5 years old. Both have an exceeding amount of flower clusters. In the last 2-3 weeks both plants have flower clusters that turned brown. Sections of one pyracantha, the upper 25% of the branches are mottled yellowish/gold. Berries have not fallen off, but are drying on the stems, I did knock them off today. Is this fire blight? Thank you.
Waseca County Minnesota
Expert Response
I’m sorry to hear about your problems with your pyracantha. Scab and fire blight are two common problems for this plant. Though some cultivars are more disease resistant than others. (Do you know which type you have?).
Scab typically causes spots on leaves and you may also see on twigs and fruit. Is something that you have observed? It is difficult for me to see that closely on the photo, but it appears there may be some fungal spots on the leaves. Fruit can also dry up and fall off early with scab. With the damp spring weather we have had, a fungal disease like scab would certainly be possible. The first link below has some photos, including potential effect on flowers.
https://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/pyracanth-scab/
With fireblight, you would start to see some dieback and blackening of branches. These branches may start to hang like a crook and leaves tend to hang on rather than dropping early as with scab. You may observe cankers on the bark and potentially some liquid coming out of the canker.
https://pddc.wisc.edu/2015/07/23/fire-blight/
https://extension.psu.edu/pyracantha-diseases
https://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/pyracanth-scab/
If you haven’t already, please also check all areas of your plants for potential insect pests which can cause problems for pyracantha.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/insect-and-related-pests-of-shrubs/pests-of-pyracantha
Scab typically causes spots on leaves and you may also see on twigs and fruit. Is something that you have observed? It is difficult for me to see that closely on the photo, but it appears there may be some fungal spots on the leaves. Fruit can also dry up and fall off early with scab. With the damp spring weather we have had, a fungal disease like scab would certainly be possible. The first link below has some photos, including potential effect on flowers.
https://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/pyracanth-scab/
With fireblight, you would start to see some dieback and blackening of branches. These branches may start to hang like a crook and leaves tend to hang on rather than dropping early as with scab. You may observe cankers on the bark and potentially some liquid coming out of the canker.
https://pddc.wisc.edu/2015/07/23/fire-blight/
https://extension.psu.edu/pyracantha-diseases
https://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/pyracanth-scab/
If you haven’t already, please also check all areas of your plants for potential insect pests which can cause problems for pyracantha.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/insect-and-related-pests-of-shrubs/pests-of-pyracantha
Thank you for the speedy reply. Yes, the pictures of blossom scab are similiar to what I see on my pyracantha.
Will IPM be the best method, or would you recommend that I have an expert come out and advise? I'm thinking it will require a chemical treatment. Thoughts?
Happy Gardening!
Kim Hoven
For managing scab, cleaning up dropped leaves and plant material is recommended. If you choose to treat with a fungicide, that would be best done starting early spring next year.
http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series600/rpd638/
https://www.pennlive.com/gardening/2007/06/pyracantha_fruits_turning_blac.html
http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series600/rpd638/
https://www.pennlive.com/gardening/2007/06/pyracantha_fruits_turning_blac.html
