MIRLITON.ORG

MIRLITON.ORG

Wilting From Anthracnose in Mirlitons (chayote, “Sechium edule”)

Leaves wilting from anthracnose damage at base of stem. Wilting during hot days is normal, since mirlitons uptake water at night. A plant that wilts and then revives in the same day is not diseased. These photos are all examples of a plant in which anthracnose is blocking the flow of water in the plant.
First signs of wilt, though the lesions have not girded the stem Adjacent plant with healthy stem, so inadequate water or mid-day transient wilt is not the problem.
Lesions and cankers on the plant. All the following photos are from the same plant.
Different from the anthracnose pattern on leaves we have been observing on this plant. It probably is a symptom of anthracnose stressing the plant and making it susceptible to opportunistic diseases that we don’t normally encounter.