The initial symptom of the disease is the sudden flagging and wilting of leaves. Brown, sunken canker can be noticed at the crown region of the plant.
Clusters of round sclerotia of the size of mustard seed appear on the mycelia on the soil surface and infected plants and plant debris. The sclerotia changes its color from white to brown and this is the surviving structure of the fungus in soil for many years.

SOUTHERN BLIGHT

Fungal causal agent: Sclerotium rolfsii

Hydrangea diseases