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Healthy plant tips from plant ‘doctors’
What are the essential steps needed to promote healthy plants? The
American Phytopathological Society, an organization of professional
“plant doctors,” offers suggestions guaranteed to help those new to
gardening and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
Plant diseases are caused by living organisms (called pathogens) such as
fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, phytoplasmas, protozoa, and
parasitic plants; and by nonliving agents such as air pollutants,
nutrient imbalances, and various environmental factors. New diseases and
changes in existing pathogens remain a constant threat to garden and
indoor plants.
“Although plants have been grown in homes for thousands of years, it
hasn’t been without a few problems,” states A. R. Chase, professor
emeritus, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, University of
Florida. “Plants didn’t evolve in our homes which means they don’t
naturally adapt to the environmental conditions that occur there,
especially during the winter heating season,” she said.
Development of new and innovative ways to control plant diseases is a
constant challenge for plant pathologists. To keep outdoor and indoor
plants healthy, the following are some tips offered by plant doctors
from the American Phytopathological Society.
Tips for a healthy garden:
u Select healthy plant material. Annual flowers and vegetable
transplants should be vigorous, show good color, and have no dead or
yellowed areas. Avoid cell packs with stunted, sickly or missing plants.
Remember to check the roots: they should be white and vigorous looking.
If using seeds, take care that they are fresh or have been stored
carefully in a cool place. Trees and shrubs should have a pleasing form
so that heavy pruning is unnecessary. Avoid specimens that have
mechanical damage to the trunk or larger limbs. Bulbs, tubers, roots and
corms should be firm and have no obvious mechanical damage or mold.
u Look for plant varieties with built-in disease resistance. Often, the
plant label will indicate what resistance the plant possesses. If not,
check with a knowledgeable source such as a county extension office or a
recent garden reference book for the names of disease-resistant plant
varieties. This is especially important for plants such as crabapples
and roses, where careful plant selection can makes a big difference in
later maintenance cost.
u Put plants where they will thrive. Know your soil type, pH, soil
drainage, and the garden’s exposure to sun and wind. Then choose plants
that will thrive in these conditions.
Water plants early in the day. Water infrequently but deeply, and, if
possible, only at the base of the plant. An extended period of wet
foliage encourages plant diseases. Stay alert to weather conditions
during the growing season so as not to over water or underwater your
plants — it will increase their susceptibility to disease. The
appropriate interval between watering will vary with the soil and
climate characteristics where you live.
u Provide for good air circulation in the garden and landscape. Allow
adequate space when planting, remove spent flowers promptly, stake
plants, and prune as necessary.
u Avoid excessive fertilization. Too much fertilizer can reduce plant
health by producing lavish, succulent growth that is more susceptible to
disease.
Mulch your soil (let it warm up first in northern gardens). Mulching
will conserve moisture and reduce the time needed for weeding and
watering. Be careful to keep the mulch away from contact with the stem,
in order to avoid encouraging fungal infections.
u Keep the garden clean. Scout your plantings every few days to look for
the first signs of disease or insect infestations that may require
treatment or removal. Remove dead or diseased plant parts or entire
plants to minimize disease spread. It’s best to prune during dry
weather.
uClean tools after use. Soil on garden tools can harbor plant pathogens.
u Apply fungicides, if necessary, but do it correctly and at the right
time. Most fungicides are effective at protecting plants against
disease, but are not instant “cures.” They should be applied in advance
of an anticipated disease problem, or as soon as possible after symptoms
are noticed. They provide temporary protection and may need to be
reapplied. Always read and follow label directions. Remember that many
cultural problems can cause symptoms on plants, so analyze the situation
thoughtfully before reaching for the sprayer. Fungicides will not be of
use on plants that are declining due to poor site conditions, improper
care, or damage caused by insects, spider mites, bacteria or viruses.
Rotate plants. Annual flowers and vegetables species should not be
planted in the same location each year, in order to prevent the build-up
of diseases over time.
Tips for house plants:
-
Inspect a plant before you buy it.
Don’t buy plants with leaves that are dried and brittle, have spots,
or are yellowing or wilting. Look carefully for mites, mealybugs,
scales, and aphids, which can resemble plant parts. These pests often
hide underneath leaves or on the leaf stems and may move when
disturbed.
-
Put a new plant in a separate room away
from other plants for a while. This helps to prevent infecting your
other plants with anything brought in on your new plant. If the plant
still looks healthy after three or four weeks in its new home, you can
move it.
-
Be sure your plant pot has good
drainage. Excess water drowns roots and encourages root rot.
-
Make sure your plant gets what it
needs. Not all houseplants are alike and many vary considerably with
regard to moisture, temperature, and fertilization needs.
-
Clean the foliage. Dust and dirt can
interfere with a plant’s natural processes. Every few weeks, clean
your plants by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or by putting them
in the shower or sink and rinsing with lukewarm water.
-
Avoid temperature extremes. Placing
plants near large windows, radiators, or furnace vents often creates
more extreme temperatures than people realize and plants can tolerate.
-
Be careful about moving plants. For
example, do not place a plant in a sunny south window if it has been
grown in a less bright location, otherwise a white to brown burning of
the leaves may occur.
-
Don’t mist your plants; it promotes
disease. Use a humidifier or place pots on a bed of wet gravel if more
humidity is needed.
On the Net
www.apsnet.org |
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VIBRANT
PLANTS — Developing new and innovative ways to control plant disease is
a constant challenge for plant pathologists. Keeping indoor and outdoor
plants healthy takes more than just a green thumb.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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