A green, blooming, and charming plant from your garden mysteriously gets covered in black spots, leaving you thinking that even after all the care you provided, you at least need to know the reason behind it. It’s like one moment you’re calling yourself a plant whisperer, and then it’s filled with black spots, yellow leaves, wilting stems, making you feel what on earth just happened.
Well, at this point, this writer would like to invite you to the world of plant diseases you will encounter in your home garden. Yes, plants get sick, too, and not just because you forgot to water them for a couple of days (honestly, we’ve all been there). Fungus, bacteria, viruses, and peptoids can easily spread mischief in your garden, directly impacting the functioning of the plant.
But, first….
What is a Plant Disease?
To answer this, let me give you a quick biology lesson. We’ve always read that, like humans, plants also get sick. Plants get sick or diseased when they are attacked by pathogens (basically, harmful microorganisms) that directly impact the functioning of the plant. Now, these diseases do not have a single source; they can be waterborne, soilborne, or airborne and can often be carried by garden pests.
Let’s dive into 10 plant diseases you might bump into, and more importantly, how to deal with them like the plant boss you are.
- Downy Mildew
Sometimes, not paying closer attention to your plant may hide a feathery, greyish fuzz from your eyes. This disease primarily impacts our kitchen garden varieties like Basil, spinach, cucumbers, and grapes.
What can you do?
Make it a point to water your plants each morning. We say, give them some time to dry off. Place this plant away from others to prevent any spread of diseases. Organic fungicides like copper spray can help you take charge.
- Black Spot
When was the last time you checked your rose plant? Apart from just looking at the bloom, check for dark, raggedy spots on leaves with yellow halos. It weakens your plant daily sucking its capability to draw good nutrients from the soil. It is a major problem in humid weather caused by fungi.
What can you do?
It’s time to prune your roses. Cut off the affected leaves and toss them aside. Water the plant directly at the base (yes, aim for the root). We always recommend a spray of neem oil as a universal remedy.
- Powdery Mildew
For some days, have you been noticing these white powdery forms appearing on the leaves of the plant? Well, that’s not any kid playing tricks on you, but signs of decay in your plant’s health.
What can you do?
It can come up in commercial gardens, too, if it does affect your plant, whip up a DIY spray with water + baking soda. Definitely one of the more common examples of plant diseases caused by fungi.
- Rust
If you thought only iron could be rusted, then let me bring plant rust to your notice. You can see the signs in the leaves of the plant when they appear rolled up in cinnamon powder, like something. Now, this rust can appear in any plant. It can be due to overcrowding, wet weather, etc.
What can you do?
As a precaution, it's important to give your plants some breathing space. If rusting has already taken space, then better to snip and toss the rusty leaves. A little spray of neem oil can help kick rust out of your garden gang. It’s a sneaky flower disease, too, so keep an eye on those blooms!
- Root Rot
Many times, we mention in our blogs that overwatering can lead to root rot, but what exactly is root rot? Check if your plant is appearing wilted, even after being watered. This might be something that’s draining the life away from your plants. In some conditions, the roots of the plant may even turn brown, squishy, and in some cases, even smelly. Save your plant, dear, because your plant might be drowning.
What can you do?
Always check the pot for drainage holes before buying the plant. The best way to water the plant is to check if the soil below a few inches of the topmost layer appears dry. If the roots appear rotting, you can trim the damaged roots and repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil. This is a perfect example of a plant disease caused by microorganisms (in this case, fungi).
- Mosaic Virus
In case of the Mosaic virus, the leaves of the plant might appear to be mottled green and yellow. This kind of virus can be easily passed on by pests like aphids and even through the use of dirty or unsterilized tools. If you don’t stop this virus from spreading, it might soon affect your entire plant produce.
What can you do?
Sadly, there’s no cure for this one. If you ever spot the Mosaic virus forming on the plant’s surface, remove it completely and don’t let it be in contact with other plants. This reminds you to use appropriate measures and even keep your gardening tools clean to make sure your plant thrives and does not die on you.
- Blight
Blight may appear in the form of dark spots. This disease takes us to our kitchen garden where tomatoes and potatoes grow. If neglected, this might turn into a disappointment to all the care you’ve provided. Blight can be easily recognised by dark spots on the leaves and stems, which can lead to a rotted plant in no time.
What can you do?
Remove the diseased plant from others. Avoid keeping the plant in the overcrowded regions, and make sure that you water the plant directly in the roots, as overhead watering may encourage its growth.
- Aphid Infestation
These tiny green, black coloured bugs latch themselves onto the plant and can disrupt its growth. Some of the common symptoms are leaves curling up and slow growth of the plant. It is not commonly known as a disease, but it can impact the plant like it.
What can you do?
Sometimes spraying them off with water might do the job. But as a solid measure against it, use an insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Fusarium Wilt
It is another plant disease that affects ornamental plant varieties. Fusarium Wilt is a soil-borne disease that blocks the flow of nutrients from the soil to other parts of the plant.
What can you do?
Although there’s no cure, you can do your best to prevent the plant from any such damage. Always plant in a good nutrient-rich soil and do not use the same soil in which the crop wilted before.
- Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a common form of leaf disease in which the edges of the leaf start appearing yellowish. This follows up on other parts of the plant, like roots, leaves, and stems. The plant may start appearing sunken to you.
What can you do?
Taking basic precautions like pruning the infected plant parts and watering directly in the soil might control the further spread of the disease. Also, keep things tidy; fallen leaves and fruit are fungus playgrounds.
You Got This, Plant Parent!
Despite all your efforts, if your garden makes it look like you’re failing, remember that it’s common, and even experienced gardeners face such setbacks. Now that you know about many such diseases, the best trick is not to panic and observe things at your own level. Some of the areas you need to give a closer look at are under your leaves, giving your plant good space to breathe, and knowing the signs that we just talked about. Gardening is picking a small part of nature and taking good care. And, while you’re at it, Urvann India has vowed to make things better for you. Take advantage of next-day delivery and the gardening knowledge shared in the form of blogs.. If you are facing any kind of query about your garden or having difficulty in choosing what’s best for it, you can drop a comment below, and I will connect with you.
Thank you!
1. How can we identify a leaf disease in a plant?
Ideally, the leaves of any healthy plant appear green and free from any kind of spots. But, when the brown or black spots start appearing on the surface of the leaf, giving it a wilted look and weakening the natural thickness, that’s when you should observe it more carefully.
2. What is a popular remedy to treat garden fungus?
A mix of a tablespoon of baking soda and water, or the use of any insecticidal spray, can be beneficial in treating garden fungus.
3. What are the ways in which I can treat plant disease at home?
You can prevent the onset of any plant disease by using good gardening practices. For example, tilting and fertilising the soil, use of neem oil spray and keeping the tools sterilised to avoid infection in plants.
4. How can we spot blight disease in a home garden?
One can spot leaf blight in the older leaves of the plant, mainly those that are closer to the base. These can be in the form of brown and black spots, curling up of the leaf to the point of decay. These can be more common with vegetables and other edible plants.
5. What are some common crop diseases?
Some common crop diseases are powdery mildew, rust, blight, and mosaic virus.
0 Comment