By: Fabiola Grosshan
Submitted: 2010-05-31 04:07:19 | Word Count: 500
It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and when it comes to plant diseases, this couldn’t be truer. When it comes to plant pathology, the study of plant diseases, the fundamental microscopic categories to be concerned about are: bacterial, viral and fungal. Here is some information to keep in mind about common plant diseases that can affect your garden.
Fungi
[ advertisement ]
The most common plant diseases you might encounter in your garden are those brought on by fungi and fungus-like organisms. Since many of the fungi that cause plant diseases thrive in moist conditions, proper watering techniques and drainage will help as a preventative measure, but for severely affected plants, you may end up having to eliminate your plant pal altogether. To avoid having to resort to this, make sure to buy your plants from a reputable CA nursery first and foremost.
Although it seems to be a good idea to err on the side of caution by overwatering, you should check the soil first before watering. This can be done simply by sticking your finger into the soil an inch or two. If the soil feels dry, go ahead and give it a sip, but if the soil is moist, hold off on watering. It is easier to deal with slightly under-watering by adding water later, than trying to “remove” water if you’ve overwatered. Some of the most common plant diseases brought on by fungi and fungus-like organisms include Gray Mold, Downy and Powdery Mildew, Rust, and Fusarium wilt.
Bacteria
Bacterial diseases can occur within houseplants, but it’s more common in outdoor plants. This is partly due to the fact that many types of bacteria that infect plants are often transmitted by insects that create a wound in the plant, allowing the bacteria to get inside. Several types of parasites like aphids, scale and whiteflies can act as carriers of the bacteria, which is transmitted to the plant when the parasites feed on it. However, humans can also transfer the bacteria via pruning equipment shared between infected and non-infected plants. As a general rule, only buy plants from your local wholesale nursery that are healthy-looking and pest-free.
Viruses
Unlike bacteria, viruses actually infiltrate the plant’s cells, and then replicate themselves to create more infected cells. Since the virus lives inside the plant’s cells, there is no way of removing a virus without destroying the plant cells in the process, making chemical treatments futile. Like bacterial infections, the plant needs to have an opening in which the virus can get past the cell’s rigid cell wall. Insects can act as carriers of the virus, as well, although humans can transmit plant viruses via grafting. Your local garden center in San Diego can provide you with advice on treatment options and the best methods of handling plant diseases.
