You’re well into the growing season and all of a sudden, your plants look droopy, spotted, and sad. Trying to determine the cause of this sudden decrease in life can be tricky but figuring it out can help you save your garden. Follow the steps below to help you narrow down what could be causing the sudden problems with your plants.
Step 1: Decide if there really is a problem.
- Compare the damaged plant with a healthy one of the same species to make sure there truly is an issue.
- Some plants have a naturally different color during different parts of its life cycle and may not be cause for concern.
- Are the plants getting enough water? Has there been hail lately or a heat wave? Lack of water and weather changes can impact plants and may be the issue.
Step 2: Evaluate the entire plant.
- Step back and look at the whole plant. A plant that is showing symptoms of disease damage may have a problem elsewhere. Problems may start in the roots but show in the leaves.
Step 3: Determine pest or disease.
- Look for patterns of damage to determine whether the damage is a result of insects, fungi, or bacteria or if it’s damage from non-living causes like climate, temperatures, irrigation, or lack of nutrients.
- Look for signs of insects, like a mite, or fungus that could be causing damage to your plant.
- If there are no signs of insects or fungus, check the symptoms, like wilting leaves even with regular watering.
- Damage from living organisms is more random and less organized than damage from non-living causes.
Step 4: Consider the time frame.
- Determine the time frame the damage occurred. Did it happen suddenly? Or gradually?
- Sudden declines in health are usually caused by nonliving factors like a frost.
- Gradual declines in health are usually caused by living factors like insects.
This weekend, spend a little time checking your garden’s health. If you see an issue, contact your local Extension office or check your email next week for newsletters on handling pests and plant diseases.
Happy gardening!
Information summarized from UW Extension publications by Katie Shockley, Writer/Editor, University of Wyoming Extension Communications & Technology
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You’re well into the growing season and all of a sudden, your plants look droopy, spotted, and sad. Trying to determine the cause of this sudden decrease in life can be tricky but figuring it out can help you save your garden. Follow the steps below to help you narrow down what could be causing the sudden problems with your plants.
Step 1: Decide if there really is a problem.
- Compare the damaged plant with a healthy one of the same species to make sure there truly is an issue.
- Some plants have a naturally different color during different parts of its life cycle and may not be cause for concern.
- Are the plants getting enough water? Has there been hail lately or a heat wave? Lack of water and weather changes can impact plants and may be the issue.
Step 2: Evaluate the entire plant.
- Step back and look at the whole plant. A plant that is showing symptoms of disease damage may have a problem elsewhere. Problems may start in the roots but show in the leaves.
Step 3: Determine pest or disease.
- Look for patterns of damage to determine whether the damage is a result of insects, fungi, or bacteria or if it’s damage from non-living causes like climate, temperatures, irrigation, or lack of nutrients.
- Look for signs of insects, like a mite, or fungus that could be causing damage to your plant.
- If there are no signs of insects or fungus, check the symptoms, like wilting leaves even with regular watering.
- Damage from living organisms is more random and less organized than damage from non-living causes.
Step 4: Consider the time frame.
- Determine the time frame the damage occurred. Did it happen suddenly? Or gradually?
- Sudden declines in health are usually caused by nonliving factors like a frost.
- Gradual declines in health are usually caused by living factors like insects.
This weekend, spend a little time checking your garden’s health. If you see an issue, contact your local Extension office or check your email next week for newsletters on handling pests and plant diseases.
Happy gardening!
Information summarized from UW Extension publications by Katie Shockley, Writer/Editor, University of Wyoming Extension Communications & Technology
Additional Resources
Learn more details for evaluating your plants in this article from UWE’s Barnyards & Backyards.
Next up: Managing Pests and Managing Plant Diseases [Coming the week of July 20]
