The most economically destructive disease of geraniums is bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas hortorum pv.pelargonii (Xhp). Symptoms can include small water-soaked or brown spots on the undersides of leaves, yellowed wedge-shaped areas on leaves, and black, collapsed stems. Xhp most often occurs in plants grown from infected cuttings, but can be spread to healthy plants by water splashing of contaminated soil, insects, dirty hands, or contaminated tools. Hanging baskets of ivy geraniums infected with Xhp can transmit the bacteria by water splash to other geraniums grown under or near them.
We have multiple Xhp tests, each has a different speed, sensitivity, and application to fit different needs. Our specific ELISA test requires less than 24 hours. If the result is positive, we report it immediately. We can confirm the results using other tests, a polymerase chain reaction test (PCR), bio-assay, and by a culture-enhanced assay, or each of these tests can also be used by itself.
Tobacco ringspot virus, Tomato ringspot virus, Pelargonium ringspot, or a combination of any of the three produce symptoms in geranium which include, yellow or dead spots, rings and line patterns on leaves, fewer flowers and aborted buds. Tomato ringspot and Tobacco ringspot viruses can be spread by soil-borne nematodes, cuttings, and seed. Pelargonium ringspot virus can be spread mechanically and by soil.
| Geranium Screen (9 tests) | Pathogen | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Cucumber mosaic virus | CMV | Submit Test Sample |
| Impatiens necrotic spot virus | INSV | Submit Test Sample |
| Pelargonium flower break virus | PFBV | Submit Test Sample |
| Ralstonia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum * | Rs | Submit Test Sample |
| Tobacco mosaic virus | TMV | Submit Test Sample |
| Tobacco ringspot virus | TRSV | Submit Test Sample |
| Tomato ringspot virus | ToRSV | Submit Test Sample |
| Tomato spotted wilt virus | TSWV | Submit Test Sample |
| Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii | Xhp | Submit Test Sample |
*Please contact us before sending samples.
| Other tests available for geranium are: | ||
| Pathogen | Symbol | |
|---|---|---|
| Arabis mosaic virus | ArMV | Submit Test Sample |
| Phytophthora | Phyt | Submit Test Sample |
| Pelargonium zonate spot virus | PZSV | Submit Test Sample |
| Tobacco rattle virus | TRV | Submit Test Sample |
| Xanthomonas campestris | Xc | Submit Test Sample |
| Carlavirus group test | Carla | Submit Test Sample |
| Curtovirus/Becurtovirus group test (Beet curly top virus) | Curto | Submit Test Sample |
| Nepovirus group test | Nepo | Submit Test Sample |
| Potyvirus group test | Poty | Submit Test Sample |
| Tobamovirus group test | Tobamo | Submit Test Sample |
| Tombusvirus group test (Pelargonium leaf curl virus, Pelargonium necrotic spot virus) | Tombus | Submit Test Sample |