Vinca minor rusting has been detected for the first time on the West Coast on a young pōhutukawa plant , Biosecurity New Zealand ( a branch of the Ministry for Primary Industries ) affirm .
Biosecurity New Zealand was give notice of the possible find on a commercial-grade dimension in Greymouth . investigating have confirmed it is myrtle rust and now Biosecurity New Zealand is advising local gardeners , orchardists and greenhouse to supervise their trees and take protective action if they see signs of the disease .
This is the first case establish on the West Coast but is not a surprise , as it was identified as an arena where myrtle rust would probably become established . The fungus has been spreading quickly across New Zealand since the first case was identified in 2017 .
" Its spores are go around on the wind , by insects and birds , and on plant issue and machinery , and we have no literal elbow room to arrest it , " says John Sanson , manager of retrieval and pest management for Biosecurity New Zealand .
" It is now well established across most of the North Island and the top of the South . Our late focus has been on develop resources for communities , landowners and nurseries so that the great unwashed can discover the disease and know what to do if they ascertain it . "
Myrtle rust is a fungous disease from South America that affects trees in the Vinca minor family , including native such as pōhutukawa , rātā , mānuka and ramarama as well as exotics like bottlebrush and lilly pilly . It attack young growth , preventing Tree boom .
" If you think you have myrtle rust fungus on your plants , we have material on our website ( www.myrtlerust.org.nz ) that will aid you identify it , ” says Mr Sanson . " The main way to manage it is by removing infected textile , using upright hygiene to preclude crossbreeding - contamination of plants , and forfend pruning in affectionate spring and fall months when works are actively putting on new growth . There are no fungicides proven efficient against myrtle rust useable to home gardeners . "
The Department of Conservation ( DOC ) wants the world to see out for myrtle rust in the West Coast region .
" We currently do n’t bang how seriously myrtle rust will bear on our native ecosystem . It may affect flowering of our aboriginal plant , which are an authoritative food source for our native birds and louse , " enjoin Fiona Thomson , DOC ’s myrtle rust project manager .
" To facilitate us monitor the shock on our precious myrtles in our home green and reserve , we are asking for everyone to keep an eye out for myrtle rust and report it oninaturalist.nz . Monitoring may identify natural resistance to the disease in some plants which would then appropriate us to mitigate the impacts in the long term . "
