ATLANTA – Pike Family Nurseries is very conscious of the recent P. ramorum, also know as Sudden Oak Death, findings at Monrovia Growers. We are committed to the health of all our plant material and are doing everything we can to assure the fungus does not spread. The only Monrovia plants in question for P. ramorum infestation are Camellias.

As part of a routine survey, Monrovia was informed on March 9 that the United States Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture had identified a fungus called Phytophthora ramorum on six Camellia varieties that are grown at Monrovia's Azusa, Calif., nursery. Because of a positive find on these plants, five host plant varieties shall be tested over the next 3 weeks. These same plants were tested in November and no fungus was found. The six suspect varieties are Camellia japonica ‘Kumasaka’, Camellia japonica ‘Kramer’s Supreme’, Camellia japonica ‘Mrs. Charles Cobb’, Camellia japonica ‘Shiro Chan’, Camellia japonica x ‘Betty Sette’ and Camellia sasanqua ‘Jean May’.

As a precaution, shipments have been halted of Camellias, Arbutus, Rhododendron, Syringa and Viburnum varieties since they are host plants that are susceptible to Phytophthora ramorum. All host plants at the growing facility situated within 32 feet of the infected plants will be placed on hold for 90 days and inspected twice before shipment. The discovery is considered an isolated incident that shall be eradicated.

Pike Family Nurseries has removed ALL camellia varieties from our nursery floors until testing can be conducted and the USDA has certified that the plants are Phytophthora ramorum-free. We have been in constant communication with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the American Nursery and Landscape Association and we do not recommend consumers taking any action until more information is available. There is no need to remove camellias from your landscape at this time. If there is any doubt or concern, we will certainly provide full refunds for any of the six camellia varieties in question.

So far, the strain of P. ramorum established in North America is proving fatal to a very narrow range of tree species in a very narrow climate range. There are approximately forty plant species that have been identified as potential hosts out of thousands of varieties on the market. For most host plants, P. ramorum is not fatal and damage is typically limited to symptoms such as leaf spots or twig cankers. Symptoms associated with P. ramorum on both trees susceptible to the fungus and carrier host plants closely resemble symptoms associated with other pathogens making accurate detection difficult and misdiagnosis likely. In other words, the North American strain of P. ramorum has yet to show itself to be a severe threat in nursery production.

As part of a far-reaching program of the USDA and statewide with the CDFA, testing has been underway at nurseries nationwide for several months. The fungus Phytophthora ramorum was discovered about 10 years ago and testing is underway in residences, botanical gardens and public spaces as well as the nursery industry. The fungus is not harmful to humans.

For the latest information on Phytophthora ramorum. The USDA has set up a toll-free hotline, 888-703-4457, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. You can also go to www.suddenoakdeath.org for more facts.

Founded in 1958 by Mr. William “Pete” Pike, Pike Family Nurseries is the nation’s largest family owned and operated retail nursery. Pike specializes in the highest quality plants, trees, shrubs, groundcovers, annuals, perennials, planting material and landscape products. The nursery is known for its excellent customer service and friendly, knowledgeable staff.