 At the beginning of the host's blooming period, the sclerotia germinate and in 3–5 days give rise to small stalked, cup-shaped fruiting bodies filled with spore sacs, which are discharged with sufficient force that they strike the lower blooms above the sclerotia or are carried in air currents to nearby blooms on adjacent plants.The rate of infection is higher when periods of frequent precipitation and warm weather coincide with flowering.Heavy dew or extended periods of misty weather are particularly favorable.