Problem Area - Plant Diseases ... Powdery Mildew!

Good Morning!

After a week's break over the half term I am back today with the next instalment for the series on 'Plant Diseases'.
Plant disease is a fungal, bacterial or viral organism which interferes with the normal growth rate of plants, producing visible symptoms that reduce economic or aesthetic quality.

The focus of today's post is a Fungal Disease and these have visible symptoms such as -
Leaves producing spots, wilting & curled leaves, dieback, enlargements (galls) and stunted / dead plants. Some fungi's produce other visible signs such as rusts, mildew & sooty moulds.

POWDERY MILDEW
(GREY MOULD)

This is a very common disease found on edible and ornamental garden plants.
You may have especially noticed it on your Sweet Peas and Roses!

Photo from Google

SYMPTOMS

Here are a few things you can look out for ...

- Powdery Mildew appears in early May as irregular white mealy or felt - like patches on the surface of young leaves, stems and flower buds. This increases during Summer and will remain active into Autumn if the weather is mild. Dry weather and heavy dew on a morning can encourage the infection. If you have Roses growing on dry sites against a sunny wall they are more liable to be attacked.

- Younger leaves curl and distort and may develop a discolouration i.e turning purple or yellow.

- If your plants are badly affected the foliage will wither and fall prematurely leading to die back of the plant.

PREVENTION 

Here are a few things you can do to help prevent this ...

- Incorporate organic matter annually to the ground and giving the surface of your borders a mulch reduces moisture loss from the soil, this will help the resistance to infection.

- Ensure that you give your plants adequate watering.

- Pruning your plants will remove most of the over - wintering infections on young shoots and the tops of stems, reducing the chances of the disease. If your plant is affected make sure you remove and dispose of any affected material right away.

- Avoid excessive use of nitrogenous fertilisers, these produce soft growth which is more vulnerable to attack and ensure that adequate feeds of Potash is given to your plants.

- Try growing plants that are advertised as being resistant to Powdery Mildew.

Chemical control can be gained by using a contact fungicide, spraying periodically. If you choose to use one make sure you follow the instructions exactly and avoid using when pollinators are around. 

I hope you have found this helpful.

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Problem Area - Plant Diseases ... Botrytis!

Good Morning!

Today I am starting off a series on 'Plant Diseases'.
Plant disease is a fungal, bacterial or viral organism which interferes with the normal growth rate of plants, producing visible symptoms that reduce economic or aesthetic quality.

The focus of today's post is a Fungal Disease and these have visible symptoms such as -
Leaves producing spots, wilting & curled leaves, dieback, enlargements (galls) and stunted / dead plants. Some fungi's produce other visible signs such as rusts, mildew & sooty moulds.

BOTRYTIS CINEREA
(GREY MOULD)

This is a very common disease, especially on plants in a Greenhouse at this time of year as it favours conditions of low temperatures, high humidity and poor ventilation.
This disease produces fuzzy grey mould and can be expected at any time of year on a wide range of plants.
PLEASE NOTE - THERE IS NO CURE

SYMPTOMS

Here are a few things you can look out for ...

- As the picture shows above there is a formation of grey fuzzy mould, as soon as you spot this on any material remove it immediately.

- When this disease is established it can cause damage to developing fruit on plants such as Tomatoes & Strawberries causing them to rot and fall from the plant.

- On plants grown outside the buds and flowers may be have shrivelled and died.

- Small black seed like structures form in the infected material.

- On Soft Fruit e.g. Gooseberries the grey mould isn't as evident and the infection kills the branches.

PREVENTION 

Here are a few things you can do to help prevent this ...

- When trimming leaf stalks and removing material make sure you do it cleanly.
Botrytis can gain hold easily on badly trimmed material.

- Remove affected material immediately to prevent the disease spreading. Don't leave any of this material hanging around, dispose of straight away. Check your plants daily.

- Regular dead-heading of flowering plants.

- Good ventilation (i.e. opening GH doors and windows) to allow good air flow and don't overcrowd plants.

- Careful watering ... avoid getting any water on the plant and ideally water in the morning so that it has dried by nightfall.

I hope you have found this helpful.

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX