Plant Diseases and Disorders
| There are some common problems that may occur with your plants. Varying temperatures, weather patterns, and disease-causing insects can all affect your garden. We encourage our gardening friends to regularly inspect your garden for pests and anything that doesn't look normal on your plants. In some cases, it can be solved relatively easily. Please see our guide, below, and if you feel that your plants may be suffering, contact your county's Cooperative Extension (a free service) for further advice. |
| Blight - Early |
Tomatoes |
| Blight - Late |
Tomatoes, Potatoes |
| Blossom End Rot (BER)* |
Tomatoes, Peppers |
| Downy Mildew |
Cucumbers, Squash, Pumpkins, Melons, Gourds, Luffas |
| Leaf Spot |
|
| Powdery Mildew |
Onions, Artichokes, Cucumbers, Squash, Pumpkins, Melons, Gourds, Luffas |
| Scab |
Cucumbers, Squash, Pumpkins, Melons, Gourds, Luffas |
| Bacterial Wilt |
Cucumbers, Squash, Pumpkins, Melons, Gourds, Luffas |
| Rusts |
Tomatoes, Soybeans |
| Black Spot |
Basil, Rosemary, Parsley, Sage |
| Splitting |
Tomatoes |
| Verticillium Wilt |
Tomatoes, Eggplant, Peppers |
| Fusarium Wilt |
|
| *Blossom End Rot (BER) is caused by 3 factors: (a) lack of calcium & magnesium to the plant, (b) extreme rapid growth of the plant, and (c) drought conditions/ infrequent watering. Dolomite adds a calcium and magnesium source and, by keeping the water reservoir filled, there is a constant supply of water to the plant. If you notice dark/ black, rotting spots on newly set fruit, simply pick those off and discard. Mix ¼ cup of hydrated lime (or pickling lime) with 1 gallon of water and add to the reservoir via the water fill tube. Do this just 1 time only. It will take a couple days, but this will cure the BER. In that time, you may still see some affected fruit, so just pick those off. Picking them off will ensure the plant puts its energy into producing good fruit, rather than wasting energy on a rotted fruit that can't be consumed. |
