New Plant Disease found in Kansas! The Kansas Department of Agriculture released a statement warning residents of a disease found in Rhododendrons sold at over 60 Walmart locations and a Home Depot in Pittsburg. Sudden Oak Death or Phytopthora Ramorum has been found as K-State Extensions Jacob Weber explains the potential threat. Weber says it is still an unknown to our area, but on the west coast this disease has caused widespread devastation to some Oak Trees. To be safe and avoid the same disease entering our area if you have purchase Rhododendrons from Walmart or the Home Depot to dispose of.

Having such a negative effect on the west coast, it's not worth the risk of seeing the diseases impact here. Weber says if you've purchase rhododendrons in 2019 to either burn them, bury them deep, or double bag and properly disposed.