"Botrytis is one of the most common fungal diseases of lilies and it can cause serious problems. The early symptoms usually include wet-looking spots on the upper leaves. Severe infections can result in practically every leaf turning brown and dry. Worst of all, it can mar the flowers with unsightly brown spots and rotted petals. The fungus gets its start in spring when spores that overwintered on plant debris blow in the wind onto susceptible foliage. Later in summer, spores produced in affected leaves spread the fungus throughout the plant and to neighboring lilies. To control this disease, remove affected leaves. Even if you have to remove every leaf, your lily will survive and flower. When you cut it back in fall, make sure to remove all debris from the garden. In winter, dig and move the bulb to an area with better air circulation, or remove surrounding plants that are crowding it. If your lily is heavily infected, be prepared to apply fungicides registered to control botrytis at the first sign of infection next spring. Be sure to thoroughly wet the lower side of the leaves in the process. If you follow these steps, the prognosis is good that your lily will once more grace your garden with beauty and fragrance." - Ciscoe Morris, Seattle Master Gardener
