Bacteria, fungus, virus – these cause disease in man and also in plants. But luckily they are not of the same types or tribes. Bacteria cause plants to blight or rot in several different ways. Fungi create botrytis, club root, damp-off of seedlings and cuttings, leaf spots, mildews, molds, and rusts. The virus group is still more or less of a mystery, but is known to cause mosaic, yellows, streak.
Bordeaux mixture and dusting or wettable sulfur have long been used to combat plant diseases, and are still used effectively. A number of new fungicides – captan, ferbam, maneb, nabam, Phaltan, thiram, zineb, ziram – are now available either alone under several brand names, or mixed with insecticides in general-purpose preparations.
Preventive treatment is most important against disease. Bacterial, fungus, and virus infections spread rapidly under favorable environmental conditions. It is much easier to protect against them than to cure. Sanitation, ventilation, and giving plants plenty of space are sound preventive measures.
Check List Of Problems And Pests
Because signs of damage are the first evidence that a plant is in some kind of trouble, this article outlines according to symptoms – general types of visible discolorations, malformations, and subnormal performance. For each symptom any number of causes may be suggested – cultural or physiological, insect, or disease.
Another reminder – this can be only a general guide. Specific diagnoses and treatments should be determined according to plant varieties, local climatic conditions, and other widely varying and indeterminable factors.
Use this check list for quick reference, to locate possible causes for plant troubles; then, if at all possible, get more complete and detailed information. Make sure any spray or dust is or contains a specific for the insect or disease you need to cope with. The law requires that all ingredients be listed accurately, and all safety precautions clearly stated. For his own reasons, the manufacturer will list all diseases and insects against which the preparation is effective.
Buds “blast,” drop without opening Cultural causes could be: humidity too low, temperature too high, sun too hot. Possible diseases are bud blight, botrytis.
Buds discolored, deformed, won’t open Can be caused by insects like aphid, thrip, midge, cyclamen mite. Some, like leaf roller or tarnished plant bug, chew the buds ragged.
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