Disease Management in Ornamentals: Tools, Trends, and Emerging Issues

Plant diseases remain one of the top concerns for nursery and greenhouse growers, landscapers, floriculturists, and municipalities across the Southeast. As Georgia’s ornamental horticulture industry contributes over $10 billion annually and stands as one of the state’s leading commodity groups, maintaining plant health is critical to sustaining both productivity and profitability. This session will provide an up-to-date overview of the key foliar, crown, and root diseases affecting ornamental crops in Georgia and the Southeast, including those caused by fungal, oomycete, bacterial, and viral pathogens. We will discuss ongoing and emerging disease pressures seen across the Southeast, including new threats appearing in neighboring states. Attendees will receive practical updates on fungicide tools and resistance management, progress in biological control options, and advancements in host resistance that are shaping the future of disease-resistant ornamental varieties. In addition, we will discuss the renewed interest in sustainable cut-flower production, addressing the unique disease challenges and opportunities this sector presents for growers looking to diversify. Overall, this class is designed to deliver timely information and integrated disease-management strategies that support the sustainability and profitability of the ornamental horticulture industry in Georgia and the broader Southeast.