Gardening is a labor of love for many people. Planting an array of different flowers and vegetables will add beauty to your home while also providing you with healthy food. Unfortunately, some diseases will prevent your garden from reaching its full potential. The first type of disease is fungal infections which cause Rust or Mildew on the leaves and flowers.
This can be prevented by keeping plant surfaces dry, planting in well-drained soil, not overfertilizing plants, properly spacing them to allow airflow between each one. If you notice any signs of infection, follow these steps: remove all infected parts of the plant; spray with a fungicide containing copper sulphate or Bordeaux mixture (a mix of water-soluble copper salts); if needed, prune, so it doesn’t spread.
This post talks about 8 types of plant diseases and ways to prevent garden diseases that prevent gardening from being a relaxing and enjoyable hobby.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery Mildew is a plant disease that affects many different plants, including lilacs, apples, grapes, cucumbers, peas, phlox, daisies and roses. It looks as if the leaves have been dusted with flour, making it very easy to diagnose! This white powder causes prevent growth and can eventually kill your beloved flowers or vegetables if not appropriately treated.
Prevent Powdery Mildew by providing your plants with ample air circulation, keeping them well hydrated, and preventing overcrowding. If you have an affected plant, make sure to trim it back!
Symptoms: powdery dust on leaves.
Downy Mildew
Downy Mildew is another type of plant disease that affects many ornamentals and edibles, such as impatiens, pansies, columbine, grapevines, lettuce and cole crops such as broccoli and cauliflower. The same fungus causes it as Powdery Mildew, which makes it very difficult to prevent! Mainly, it occurs during wet weather, causing the upper portions of the leaves to discolor. The bottoms develop white or gray mold prevents growth.
Prevent Downy Mildew by providing enough sunlight for your plants (at least six hours), prevent overcrowding, make sure they are well hydrated, and prevent excess nitrogen in the soil. If you have an affected plant, make sure to remove all leaves until healthy ones grow back; this may take a few years, depending on how nasty the infection was.
Black Spot
Black Spot is a type of plant disease that affects roses, fruits and other types of flowers. It can prevent your plants from growing by weakening them, thus making them susceptible to other diseases. or even killing them entirely if not appropriately treated. Black spots will form on the leaves and eventually grow to cover large leaf portions, preventing photosynthesis from occurring as it should! This prevents growth and kills plants if left untreated.
Prevent Black Spot by providing enough sunlight for your plants (at least six hours). Prevent overcrowding, make sure they are well hydrated and remove all affected leaves until new ones have grown back completely. Additionally, placing a layer of mulch around the base of the rosebush prevents spores from entering through cracks in soil or concrete slabs. This is often found where water pools up after rainstorms/watering days, prevents excess nitrogen in the ground and prevents any nearby plants from being infected by black spots.
Bacterial Canker or Blight
Bacterial Canker or Blight is a bacterial type of plant disease that affects many plants, including cherries, peaches, plums, apricots and related trees. The same pathogens cause it as black spots, which makes it very difficult to prevent! This bacterial infection causes leaves to wilt and die almost immediately after being infected, preventing growth and killing your garden if not appropriately treated.
Prevent Bacterial Canker or Blight similar to how you would prevent Black Spot: provide enough sunlight for your plants (at least six hours), prevent overcrowding, make sure they are well hydrated, remove all affected leaves until new ones have grown back completely; this may take a few years depending on how nasty the infection was/how quickly treatment occurred. In addition, keep an eye out for any nearby signs of canker or blight infection!
Mosaic Virus
Mosaic Virus is a plant disease that affects many ornamental plants and vegetables such as cucumbers, melons, peas, squash and tomatoes. This virus causes the leaves to grow life distorted green or yellow spots prevent the growth of new shoots/pulling them off can prevent further infection!
Prevent Mosaic Virus by planting resistant varieties of your favourite garden veggies; this varies depending on the type but often includes: ‘Sure Crop,’ ‘Sunrise’ and various others for cucumber; ‘Waltham 29’, ‘Marketmore 76′ and other cultivars for muskmelon; “Oregon Giant,” “Pilgrim,” and other varieties of winter squash; and finally any tomato variety except those with potato leaf foliage (which prevent photosynthesis from occurring correctly).
Rust
Rust is another type of plant disease that affects many different kinds of plants. It is caused by the same pathogens as black spots and bacterial canker, making it very difficult to prevent! This fungal infection causes leaves to wilt before being covered in tiny orange or yellow spots, preventing growth and killing your garden if not appropriately treated. Susceptible plants include Hollyhock, heuchera, daylilies, pears, Rhododendrons and Juniper.
Prevent Rust similarto how you would prevent Black Spot: provide enough sunlight for your plants (at least six hours), prevent overcrowding, make sure they are well hydrated, remove all affected leaves until new ones have grown back completely; this may take a few years depending on how nasty the infection was/how quickly treatment occurred. In addition, keep an eye out for any nearby signs of rust infection!
Apple Scab
Apple Scab is yet another type of plant disease that affects many different plants, making it very difficult to prevent! This fungal infection causes leaves to turn yellow before eventually dying off entirely if not appropriately treated.
Prevent Apple Scab similar to how you would prevent Black Spot or Bacterial Canker:
– Provide enough sunlight for your plants (at least six hours).
– Prevent overcrowding.
– Make sure they are well hydrated.
– Remove all affected leaves until new ones have grown back completely.
Botrytis Blight or Grey Mold
Botrytis Blight or Grey Mold causes damage to plants by forming a dense gray mass of mold on the surface of leaves, flower petals or fruit. This fungal infection causes flowers and buds to turn brown before wilting away if not treated properly.Prevent Botrytis Blight similar to how you prevent Black Spot: provide enough sunlight for your plants (at least six hours), prevent overcrowding, make sure they are well hydrated, remove all affected leaves until new ones have grown back completely; this may take a few years depending on how nasty the infection was/how quickly treatment occurred. Plant resistant varieties!