Diagnosing Gypsophila Diseases: Learn To Recognize Baby’s Breath Disease Issues

White Flowered Baby's Breath Plant
babys breath disease
(Image credit: dalattraveler)

Baby’s breath, or Gypsophila, is a mainstay in many ornamental flower beds and in carefully planned cut-flower gardens. Most commonly seen when used as a filler in flower arrangements, baby’s breath plants are also useful when wishing to add airy texture to flower borders. When healthy, these plants will produce a profusion of small white blooms in spring and throughout the growing season.

However, if choosing to grow baby’s breath in the flower garden, there are some common Gypsophila diseases that may cause rapid decline in the health of the plants – problems you should be aware of.

Common Problems with Baby’s Breath

Baby’s breath disease issues can generally be divided into two of the most likely to occur issues-- blight and rot. While these diseases of baby’s breath plants are common, prevention is often the key to avoiding the loss of plants. Additionally, awareness of the signs and symptoms will help to control and prevent the spread of infection throughout other plantings of the flower.

Blight on Baby’s Breath Plants

Issues with blight on baby’s breath may first manifest when flowers turn a dark, almost black color. Other signs of blight in baby’s breath plants may be seen in the development of dark spots along the stems.

Once blight has become established, it can easily spread among baby’s breath plants. Many issues with blight can be avoided by making certain to avoid overhead watering. Plant materials infected with blight should be removed from the garden and destroyed.

Baby’s Breath Crown and Stem Rot

Rot can infect baby’s breath in the crown of the plant as well as the stems. Sources of rot can be caused by soil borne pathogens that are the result of poor garden maintenance or soils that do not drain sufficiently.

Among the first signs of rot in baby’s breath plants is a sudden yellowing of leaves or complete collapse of the plant. In many cases, rot can cause complete loss of the baby’s breath plants.

Preventing Diseases of Baby’s Breath

While some problems with baby’s breath can often be prevented, some cannot. Particularly, issues involving warm temperatures may manifest, regardless of the grower’s care. However, by maintaining optimal growing conditions, gardeners can best attempt to prevent diseases of baby’s breath plants.

This includes making certain that the plants receive adequate sunlight, irrigation, and soil nutrients. Additionally, gardeners should always plant at an appropriate spacing so that air circulation around the plants allows for optimal growth.

Tonya Barnett
Writer

Tonya Barnett has been gardening for 13 years. Flowers are her passion. She has transformed her backyard into a cut flower garden, which she regularly chronicles on her YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/@tonyawiththeflowers.