Pythium and Poinsettias Pythium root and stem rot can occur any
time during poinsettia propagation or production, as it spreads
easily by water. Olson's Greenhouse in Salem, Utah, has found a
solution to this challenge. It’s an unfortunate, yet common
combination. Pythium root and stem rot can occur any time during
poinsettia propagation or production, as it spreads easily by
water. And yes, it’s a common cause of headaches for growers.
For Matt Carr, Growing Department Head at Olson’s Greenhouse in
Salem, Utah, even several applications of chemical treatments
didn’t avoid the headache. Olson’s Greenhouse is one of the
nation’s largest operations, with approximately 1,300,000 sq.
ft. of growing space. Their standard practice was to apply
fungicides at least three times during the production cycle, but
even then they would still see signs of Pythium, according to
Carr. Although that combination was used both as a preventative
and a curative, they continued to have Pythium issues and lose
plants because of it.