Fusarium Wilt

Plants suddenly wilt and die despite adequate water as the fungus colonizes the vascular system and blocks water movement upward. No cure exists once soil becomes contaminated with this persistent soil-borne pathogen. Use resistant varieties when available, sterilize all soil-contact tools, use new planting sites, and practice strict sanitation throughout. Remove all infected plants and never compost diseased material.

Vascular wilts are difficult to treat because the pathogen lives inside the plant's water-conducting tissue. Remove and destroy severely affected plants; do not compost them. The pathogen can persist in soil for years, so avoid replanting susceptible species in the same location. Focus on maintaining plant vigor through proper watering and fertilization, which helps healthy plants resist infection longer.