Information About Plant Diseases

Identifying plant diseases is the first step in treating the problem. There are many types of diseases that affect garden plants, leaving many gardeners scratching their heads. By using the following information, you can learn how to go about identifying plant diseases for effective disease control. Many garden disease problems can be alleviated simply by practicing good growing conditions. Yet, even in the best of circumstances, garden diseases happen. But with a little know how, you stand a better chance of treating these garden disease problems early on.

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Tuber Rot Diseases: Different Types Of Tuber Rot Problems

By Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

Tuber rot diseases are a major cause of crop loss, and other tuberous plants are affected too. Click here for common types of tuber rot and what you can do.

Hypoxylon Canker Fungus – Learn About Hypoxylon Canker Control

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Hypoxylon canker on trees can be an extremely destructive disease. Knowing the signs could help save a tree if it hasn’t spread. Learn more here.

Cherry Leaf Roll Control – Tips For Treating Cherry Leaf Roll Virus

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Although ‘cherry’ is included in the name, cherry leaf roll disease affects many plants. The virus can affect more than 36 plant families, and cherry leaf roll symptoms and damages are different per group. For tips on recognizing and treating cherry leaf roll, click here.

Problems With Plant Roots: Why Do My Plants Keep Dying In The Same Spot

By Amy Grant

One of the most common issues for growers is when all plants suddenly start dying. The reason likely has to do with problems with the plant roots. Plant root problems run the range from the most simplistic to more dire explanations. Find additional info here.

Barley Covered Smut Control: How To Treat Barley Covered Smut Disease

By Teo Spengler

Smut is one of the fungal diseases that cause damage to crops like barley, oats and rye. One type of smut is called “covered smut” and it is a real problem. What is barley covered smut? How to treat barley covered smut? Learn more in this article.

Treating Barley With Rhizoctonia – How To Stop Rhizoctonia Root Rot In Barley

By Teo Spengler

If you grow barley, you may need to learn something about rhizoctonia root rot of barley, a type of fungal disease that attacks cereals. For information about barley treating with rhizoctonia, and tips on how to stop rhizoctonia root rot, this article will help.

Phoma Blight Disease: How To Stop Phoma Blight In Plants

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Phoma blight in plants is particularly damaging to vinca groundcover. There are some preventative measures you can take in the garden and things you can do if you already see the infection. Click on the following article for more information.

What Is White Leaf Spot – Learn About Brassica White Leaf Spot

By Amy Grant

Spotting on the foliage of cole crops might just be white leaf spot fungus, Pseudocercosporella capsellae, also known as brassica white leaf spot. What is white leaf spot? Click here to learn how to identify white leaf spot and control its spread in the garden.

Nectria Canker Treatment – What Causes Nectria Canker

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Nectria canker on trees is a fungal infection. If a tree is healthy, it can typically recover. Weaker trees may get girdled and ultimately die. Know the signs of nectria canker, how to prevent it and what to do if you see it with help from this article.

Charcoal Rot Treatment – Managing Cucurbits With Charcoal Rot Disease

By Shelley Pierce

One fateful day, ‘charcoal’ took on a different meaning when I my cantaloupes had developed charcoal rot. My fond memories of charcoal were just as tainted as my cantaloupe plants. So what is charcoal rot disease, you ask? Click this article to learn more.

Cole Crop Wire Stem Disease – Treating Wire Stem In Cole Crops

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Good soil is what all gardeners want and how we grow beautiful plants. But harbored in soil are many dangerous bacteria and damaging fungi that can harm crops. In cole crops, wire stem disease is occasionally a problem. Click this article to learn more.

Xylella Fastidiosa Info – What Is Xylella Fastidiosa Disease

By Mary Ellen Ellis

What causes Xylella fastidiosa diseases, of which there are several, is the bacterium of that name. If you grow grapes or certain fruit trees in an area with these bacteria, you need Xylella fastidiosa info so that you can practice good management. This article will help.

Cucurbit Root Rot: Learn About Monosporascus Root Rot Of Cucurbits

By Amy Grant

Cucurbit monosporascus root rot is a serious disease of melons, and to a lesser extent other cucurbit crops. The pathogen can live in soil for a number of years, making treatment difficult. The following article discusses how to manage the disease.

Cucurbit Fusarium Rind Rot – Treating Fusarium Rot Of Cucurbits

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Edible cucurbits with fusarium rot show as lesions on the rind but develop to affect the interior flesh of the food. It often goes unnoticed and is only apparent once the fruit is cut open. Knowing the early signs of the disease can save your harvest. This article will help.

Cucurbit Angular Leaf Spot – Managing Angular Leaf Spot Of Cucurbits

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Cucurbits with angular leaf spot may give you a smaller harvest. This bacterial infection affects cucumbers, zucchini, and melons, and causes angular lesions on leaves and thrives in warm, humid conditions. Learn how to control the problem here.

Coral Spot Fungus Information – What Are Signs Of Coral Spot Fungus

By Mary Ellen Ellis

What is coral spot fungus? This damaging fungal infection attacks woody plants and causes the branches to die back. Here's what you need to know about the disease, what you can do to prevent it, and how to spot it on your trees and shrubs. Click here to learn more.

Powdery Cucurbit Mildew Control: Treating Powdery Mildew On Cucurbits

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Cucurbit powdery mildew affects any type of cucurbit. The white, powdery mold is easy to spot, but management requires several steps. Learn more here.

Downy Mildew Of Cole Crops – Managing Cole Crops With Downy Mildew

By Mary Ellen Ellis

If your favorite cole crops, like broccoli and cabbage, come down with a case of downy mildew, you may lose your harvest, or at least see it greatly reduced. Downy mildew is a fungal infection, but there are steps you can take to prevent and treat it. Learn more here.

Cole Crop Soft Rot Info: Managing Cole Crops With Soft Rot

By Liz Baessler

Soft rot is a problem that can affect cole crops both in the garden and after harvest. The center of the head of the plant becomes soft and mushy and often gives off a bad smell. Learn more about recognizing and managing soft rot of cole vegetables in this article.

Tobacco Ringspot Damage – Recognizing Tobacco Ringspot Symptoms

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Tobacco ringspot virus can be a devastating disease, causing serious damage to crop plants. There is no method for treating tobacco ringspot, but you can manage it, prevent it, and avoid having it in your garden. Learn more in this article.

Fusarium Yellows Of Cole Crops: Managing Cole Crops With Fusarium Yellows

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Fusarium yellows of cole crops is an important disease which can cause huge economic loss in commercial settings. It causes wilting and often plant death. Control of cole crop fusarium yellows can help prevent its spread. Learn more in this article.

Cucurbit Alternaria Leaf Spot: Treating Leaf Blight Of Cucurbits

By Darcy Larum, Landscape Designer

Everyone knows the old adage: April showers bring May flowers. Unfortunately, one disease that thrives in the warmth of midsummer that follows wet spring weather is alternaria leaf spot on cucurbits. Click here for information on leaf blight of cucurbits.

Cucurbit Downy Mildew Control – Tips On Treating Cucurbit Plants With Downy Mildew

By Mary Ellen Ellis

Cucurbit downy mildew can destroy your tasty crop of cucumbers, watermelon, squash, and pumpkins. If you know what to look for, catch it early, and take steps to manage the disease, you may save at least some of your harvest. This article can help get you started.

What Is Black Rot Of Cole Crops: Learn About Cole Vegetable Black Rot

By Amy Grant

Black rot on cole crops is a serious disease that can decimate an entire crop. How then can cole crop black rot be controlled? Click this article to find out how to identify the symptoms of cole vegetable black rot and how to manage black rot of cole crops.

What Is Internal Tipburn: Managing Internal Tipburn Of Cole Crops

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Internal tipburn of cole crops affects such foods as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Learn the signs of internal tipburn so you can save your cole crops from this potentially damaging condition. This article will help.

Alternaria Leaf Spot In Cole Crops – Managing Leaf Spot On Cole Vegetables

By Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

Alternaria leaf spot in cole crops is a fungal disease that wreaks havoc in cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. However, symptoms and treatment of this hard-to-control disease are similar. Learn more here.

Fusarium Wilt Of Cucurbits – Dealing With Fusarium Wilt In Cucurbit Crops

By Amy Grant

Fusarium is a fungal disease that afflicts cucurbits. Several diseases are the result of this fungus, each crop specific. The following article contains information on recognizing fusarium symptoms in cucurbits and managing fusarium wilt in cucurbit crops.

What Is White Mold : How To Treat White Mold On Plants

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Even experienced gardeners can get a disease or pathogen in the garden that they can't identify or treat. White mold is one of those sneaky fungal diseases that can strike quietly and take over a planting bed without any notice. Learn more in this article.

Using Lime Sulfur In Gardens: When And How To Use Lime Sulfur

By Darcy Larum, Landscape Designer

As gardeners, we can choose to spend a fortune on different chemicals that can have residual effects or we can use a natural-based product that has been used by growers and breeders for hundreds of years. Learn about using lime sulfur in gardens here.

Controlling Lima Bean Pod Blight: Learn About Pod Blight Of Lima Beans

By Amy Grant

One of the more common diseases of lima beans is called pod blight of lima beans. Pod blight in lima bean plants can cause serious losses in yield. What causes this lima bean disease and what methods of control are there for lime bean blight?

What Is Algal Leaf Spot: Learn About Algal Leaf Spot Control

By Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

Algal leaf spot disease spores, which are spread by rain, create a big problem for more than 200 plant species, especially plants growing in warm, humid climates. Learn more about this disease and how to treat it in this article.

What Is Cedar Hawthorn Rust: Identifying Cedar Hawthorn Rust Disease

By Jackie Carroll

Cedar hawthorn rust is a serious disease of hawthorn and juniper trees. There is no cure for the disease, but you can prevent its spread. Find out how to control cedar hawthorn rust in this article. Click here to learn more.

Armillaria Root Rot Control – Learn About Treatment For Armillaria Root Rot

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Armillaria root rot symptoms can by sly, starting out slowly with slowed growth and culminating with wood rot and mortality. Recognizing the disease and implementing a process of Armillaria root rot control can slow the disease. More information can be found here.

What Is Volutella Blight: Learn About Volutella Blight Control

By Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

Also known as leaf and stem blight, volutella blight is a destructive disease that affects pachysandra plants and boxwood shrubs. Early diagnosis and vigilant plant care are the keys to volutella blight control. This article will help.

Needle Cast Treatment – Learn About Stigmina And Rhizosphaera Needle Cast In Trees

By Jackie Carroll

Have you ever seen a tree, such as spruce, with healthy-looking needles at the tips of the branches, but no needles at all as you look further down the branch? This is caused by needle cast disease. Find out more in this article.

Phytoplasma Life Cycle – What Is Phytoplasma Disease In Plants

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

What is phytoplasma disease? Well, first you need to understand the phytoplasma life cycle and how they are spread. New studies indicate that phytoplasma effects on plants can mimic damage shown by psyllid insects or leaf roll viruses. Learn more here.

What Is Cytospora Canker – Control Of Cytospora Canker Disease

By Teo Spengler

What is cytospora canker? It is a destructive disease caused by the fungus Leucostoma kunzei that disfigures and can even kill vulnerable trees. Get more information about symptoms of cytospora canker and treatment in this article.

What Is Cenangium Canker: Managing Sooty Bark Canker On Trees

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Diagnosing plant ailments is crucial to plant management and health. Cenagium canker of trees is one of the more insidious diseases. What is Cenagium canker? Click this article for tips on recognizing, treating, and managing sooty bark canker.

What Is Cane Blight: Information On Cane Blight Symptoms And Control

By Teo Spengler

If your raspberry bush buds die, the side shoots wilt and the canes fail, cane blight is probably the culprit. What is cane blight? Find out in this article and get information about plants affected by cane blight and cane blight control.

Choaenephora Wet Rot Control: Tips On Controlling Choaenephora Fruit Rot

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Choanenphora wet rot control is essential for those of us who love to grow squash, cucumbers and other cucurbits. You may not know the disease as Choaenephora, but you probably know what blossom end rot is. Learn more here.

Fusarium Crown Rot Disease: Control Of Fusarium Crown Rot

By Liz Baessler

Fusarium crown rot disease is a serious problem that can affect a wide range of plant species, both annual and perennial alike, rotting the roots and crowns. While there is no chemical treatment, this article can provide information on what to look for.

What Is Clubroot: Learn About Clubroot Treatment And Control

By Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

What is clubroot? This difficult disease is caused by a soilborne fungus that affects cruciferous vegetables. Learn more about the symptoms and control of clubroot disease in this article. Click here for more information.

Cercospora Leaf Spot: Learn About The Treatment Of Cercospora

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Cercospora fruit spot is a common disease of citrus fruits but it also affects many other crops. What is cercospora? The disease is fungal and survives on any affected fruit in soil from the previous season. Read on to learn more.

Cotton Root Rot In Plants: What Is The Treatment For Cotton Root Rot

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Cotton root rot in plants is a devastating fungal disease. What is cotton root rot? This voracious fungus is one of the most destructive diseases of cotton and over 2,000 other plants. Read this article to learn more about it.

What Is A Viroid: Information About Viroid Diseases In Plants

By Kristi Waterworth

Bugs, bacterial, fungi and viruses plague your garden year after year. It's a battleground and sometimes you're not really sure who is winning. There's one more monster looking to destroy your plants: the viroid. Read here to learn more about this viroids.

Plants Affected By Smut – Tips For Treating Black Smut Fungus

By Kristi Waterworth

When black spores appear on your lawn or garden plants, it?s understandably frustrating. Try not to panic, we?ve got lots of information about treating black smut fungus, a common cause of black spores on turfgrass, small grains and ornamentals. Click here.

Reasons Why New Growth Is Dying

By Kristi Waterworth

When the new growth on your plants starts to wither and die, you know you're in trouble. Read this article to better understand what's going on with your plants and find out if the problem is serious.

INSV Information – Plants Affected By Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus

By Kristi Waterworth

There are a lot of things that can happen to your plants between the moment they emerge from their seeds until they fruit or bloom, wilt and die. Of all the things that can go wrong, INSV may be one of the most challenging. Find out more about this disease here.

Leaf Browning In Center: Why Leaves Turn Brown In Middle

By Kristi Waterworth

You can tell a lot about your plant's health from its leaves. When plants develop brown leaves in the middle, problems are afoot. Learn more about the causes and treatment for browning leaves in this article.

What Is Angular Leaf Spot: Treating Angular Leaf Spot On Plants

By Kristi Waterworth

Identifying and treating angular leaf spot is important for the well-being of your plants. Read this article to find out more about this disease and how it can be treated. Click here for more information.

Botryosphaeria Canker Treatment – The Control Of Botryosphaeria Canker On Plants

By Kristi Waterworth

When you notice a sad little plant, wilted and covered in dark spots, you may be seeing the effects of botryosphaeria canker. Learn how to recognize and treat botryosphaeria canker on plants in this article.

Plant Disease Transmission To Humans: Can Virus And Plant Bacteria Infect A Human

By Kristi Waterworth

Some gardeners worry about plant disease transmission to humans - after all, we can get viruses and bacteria, too, right? Learn the answer to this question in the following article.

What Is Phytophthora: Phytophthora Symptoms And Management

By Kristi Waterworth

Phytophthora, a soil-borne pathogen that infects trees, woody plants and even vegetables, can lead to their sudden death. This article provides information on controlling the disease.

Alternaria Leaf Spot: How To Treat Alternaria In The Garden

By Kristi Waterworth

Alternaria leaf spot in the garden is a real problem for growers, causing plaque-like spots on leaves and fruits. Treating alternaria can be difficult, so this article will show you how to treat this gardener's nightmare.

Verticillium Wilt Treatment: What Is Verticillium Wilt And How To Fix It

By Jackie Carroll

Leaves that curl, wilt, discolor and die may mean that a plant is suffering from verticillium wilt. Read here to find out how to distinguish verticillium wilt from other plant diseases and what to do about it.

What Is Tobacco Mosaic Virus: How To Treat Tobacco Mosaic Disease

By Susan Patterson, Master Gardener

If you've noticed an outbreak of leaf mottling along with blistering or leaf curl in the garden, then you may have plants affected by TMV. Read here to find out how to treat tobacco mosaic virus once it's found.

Canker On Fruit Trees: What To Do For Trees Weeping Amber Color Sap

By Jackie Carroll

Tree cankers that ooze orange or amber-colored sap may indicate that the tree has Cytospora canker disease. The best method of control is prevention, and this article will help.

Fusarium Wilt Disease: Tips For Controlling Fusarium Wilt On Plants

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

There is a fungus among us and its name is Fusarium. Fusarium fungus can survive indefinitely, affecting any crop or plant that is contaminated by the soil. Find out how to protect and treat your plants in this article.

Bacterial Leaf Spot On Plants: How To Treat Bacterial Leaf Spot

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Many ornamental and edible plants display dark, necrotic looking spots on their leaves. This is a symptom of bacterial leaf spot disease. Learn more about bacterial leaf spot and its control in this article.

Blight Treatment – Symptoms And Control Of Southern Blight On Plants

By Jackie Carroll

It happens to the best of us - all your healthy plants wilting and dying. Southern blight on plants is a common problem in many home gardens but it doesn?t have to be. This article will help.

Gray Mold Control: Learn About The Treatment Of Botrytis Blight

By Jackie Carroll

Botytris blight, also called gray mold, attacks almost any ornamental plant. Read this article to learn more about botrytis blight symptoms and gray mold control in your garden.

Aster Yellows On Flowers – Information On Controlling Aster Yellows Disease

By Jackie Rhoades

Aster yellows can affect a myriad of plants and is often quite detrimental to them as well. Read this article to learn more about this problem and how to control aster yellows on flowers and other plants in the garden.

Cause Of Root Rot: Root Rot Remedy For Garden Plants, Trees, And Shrubs

By Jackie Carroll

While many people have both heard of and dealt with root rot in houseplants, most are not aware that this disease can also have an adverse effect on garden plants too. Learn more about this here.

Plants Affected By Crown Gall: Tips On How To Fix Crown Gall

By Jackie Carroll

Before you decide to start crown gall treatment, consider the value of the plant you are treating. To eliminate the bacteria and prevent the spread, it?s best to remove and destroy diseased plants. Learn more here.

Anthracnose Disease Info And Control – What Plants Get Anthracnose

By Susan Patterson, Master Gardener

You may know it as leaf, shoot or twig blight. Combating anthracnose can be a frustrating process so knowing more about what plants get anthracnose and how to prevent it is helpful. Get that info here in this article.

Alcoholic Flux Treatment: Tips For Preventing Alcoholic Flux In Trees

By Jackie Carroll

If you've noticed frothy-like foam seeping from your tree, then it has likely been affected by alcoholic flux. While there is no real treatment, preventing alcoholic flux may help. Read here to learn more.

Fixes For Black Knot Tree Diseases: What To Do When Black Knot Keeps Coming Back

By Jackie Carroll

Black knot disease is easy to diagnose because of the distinctive black gall on the stems and branches of plum and cherry trees. Read this article for information on treating the disease.

Gummy Stem Blight Control – Treating Black Rot Fungus In Cucurbits

By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Gummy stem blight is a fungal disease of melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits. Stem blight treatment must start before you even plant the seeds to be entirely effective. Learn more in this article.

White Leaf Spot Control – How To Treat White Spots On Plant Leaves

By Jackie Rhoades

White spots on the plant leaves - what is it exactly? Read this article to learn more about downy leaf spot and what to do for these white spots on leaves. Click here for more information.

White Rust Disease – Controlling White Rust Fungus In The Garden

By Jackie Rhoades

Also called Staghead or white blister, white rust disease affects cruciferous plants. Learn more about this fungal disease and how to treat it in the following article. Click here for more information.

Tips For The Control Of Downy Mildew

By Heather Rhoades

A common problem in the spring garden is a disease called downy mildew. If you are familiar the disease the conditions it can grow in, you will be better able to control downy mildew. Learn more here.

Crown Rot Identification And Tips For Crown Rot Treatment

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

Crown rot commonly affects many types of plants in the garden. So what exactly is this and how do you stop crown rot before it is too late? Read this article for information on crown rot disease.

Black Spot Fungus: Getting Rid Of Black Leaf Spot

By Jackie Rhoades

If you notice black spots on plant leaves, it's a good bet your plants are affected by black spot fungus. Learn more about this troubling disease and how to treat it in this article.

Soft Rot Disease: How To Help Prevent Soft Rot Bacteria

By Jackie Rhoades

Bacterial soft rot disease is an infection that can devastate a crop of fleshy vegetables but affects other plants too. Learn more about the disease and how to control it in this article.

Information On Shot Hole Disease Treatment

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

Shot hole disease is a serious issue in many fruit trees. Some flowering ornamental trees can be affected as well. Learn more about this disease and how to treat it in the following article.

Plants With Spotted Leaves: Fungal Leaf Spot Treatments

By Jackie Rhoades

From indoor and outdoor gardeners alike, one of the most common gardening questions is: Why do my plants have spotted and brown leaves? Click here to read what may be causing your plant's leaf spots.

Learn About Plant Rust Disease And Rust Treatment

By Heather Rhoades

Plant rust is a general term that refers to a rather large family of fungi that attack plants. Rust fungi are easy to identify on the plant and quite treatable using the tips provided in this article.

Powdery Mildew: Homemade And Organic Remedies

By Shari Armstrong

Powdery mildew is a common problem in areas that have high humidity. It can affect almost any type of plant, appearing as a white or gray powder. Learn how to treat powdery mildew here.

Fire Blight Remedies And Symptoms

By Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

Fire blight is oftentimes influenced by seasonal weather and generally attacks the plant's blossoms, gradually moving to the twigs, and then the branches. Learn more about fire blight remedies in this article.

Get The Cure For Powdery Mildew

By Heather Rhoades

Powdery mildew is a fungus that plagues almost all gardeners. Finding a cure for powdery mildew is something that all gardeners look for eventually. This article can help with that.

How To Get Rid Of Sooty Mold

By Heather Rhoades

If your plant looks like it's covered in a black soot, chances are it is suffering from sooty mold fungus. This article has tips on fixing this issue.

Treating Root Rot – Gardening Tips For Houseplants

By Heather Rhoades

Sometimes if a plant is overwatered, it just does not seem to recover afterward. Chances are, your plant is suffering from root rot. Get tips and information for treating root rot in houseplants in this article.

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