Index of Plant Disease Pointers Column

March 2022: To Reuse Pots or Not Reuse Pots – That is the Question

March 25, 2022

I have recently seen comments and discussions on social media about reusing pots from greenhouse or nursery-purchased plants.  In some instances, there has been discussion of returning pots to nurseries and greenhouses for businesses to reuse. I’m definitely all for reusing pots whenever possible.  It’s an environmentally sound thing to do.  However, keep in mind … Continue reading March 2022: To Reuse Pots or Not Reuse Pots – That is the Question

February 2022: ‘Tis the Season – A Tree Pruning Redux

February 23, 2022

I often talk about pruning as a method for disease management.  Pruning branches with canker diseases (e.g., Nectria canker, Cytospora canker, golden canker) can be critical in keeping diseases in check and preventing pathogen spread.  Pruning healthy trees and shrubs is also important to promote proper growth, reduce the risk of structural failure during extreme … Continue reading February 2022: ‘Tis the Season – A Tree Pruning Redux

January 2022: Decontaminating Your Way to Healthier Plants

January 27, 2022

When discussing plant diseases and their management, I often emphasize decontaminating pots, gardening tools and work surfaces as one part of a successful disease management strategy.  To kill fungi and bacteria (and to a lesser extent viruses) I often recommend treating items for at least 30 seconds with alcohol, commercial disinfectants, or bleach. When using … Continue reading January 2022: Decontaminating Your Way to Healthier Plants

July 2021 – Sometimes the Best Medicine is No Medicine at All

July 7, 2021

At this time of the year, plant diseases are in full swing.  When you see diseases in your garden, a natural tendency is to want to do something to make things better.  In some instances however, ignoring the problem and doing nothing can be your best course of action.  Here are my picks for plant … Continue reading July 2021 – Sometimes the Best Medicine is No Medicine at All

June 2021: A Change in the Weather: Modifying Garden Microclimate to Improve Plant Health

June 3, 2021

As plants in your garden grow and fill in,  wet and humid conditions will arise that are perfect for diseases to develop.  Follow the tips below to prevent diseases in your garden by opening up air flow, reducing humidity and keeping leaves dry. Leave plenty of space between new transplants Think ahead to how big … Continue reading June 2021: A Change in the Weather: Modifying Garden Microclimate to Improve Plant Health

May 2021: Smart Shopping: Dodging Disease When Purchasing Plants

May 3, 2021

May is a prime time to visit your local greenhouse, nursery or garden center to buy annuals, perennials and vegetables for your home garden.  Unfortunately, these plants can be carriers of plant disease-causing organisms.  Here are some pointers on what to look for when buying plants. Select plants that are vigorously growing, but aren’t overly … Continue reading May 2021: Smart Shopping: Dodging Disease When Purchasing Plants

April 2021: Water, Water, Everywhere, but Never, Ever on the Leaves

April 1, 2021

April conjures up visions of spring rain showers, eventually leading to May flowers.  While Mother Nature waters plants using an overhead sprinkling system (i.e., rain), from plant disease standpoint, this type of watering is less than optimal. What’s the problem with watering from above?   Overhead watering wets leaves creating what plant pathologists call a … Continue reading April 2021: Water, Water, Everywhere, but Never, Ever on the Leaves

March 2021: Dampening Damping-Off: Tips on Seed Starting to Avoid Disease

March 1, 2021

After a long, cold winter, it’s time to start growing plants from seeds for the upcoming growing season.  Damping-off is a common disease that can prevent seed-starting success.  Here are tips that can help prevent damping-off from being a problem. Buy high quality seed from a reputable source High quality seeds are less likely to … Continue reading March 2021: Dampening Damping-Off: Tips on Seed Starting to Avoid Disease

February 2021: Bypassing Plant Pathogens: Promoting Tree and Shrub Health Through Proper Pruning

January 30, 2021

Although it doesn’t seem like the optimal time to be gardening, February is actually a great time to be out pruning your trees and shrubs to make them more structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. Why prune now?  Whenever you prune, you create wounds that potentially can serve as entry points for disease-causing fungi and bacteria.  … Continue reading February 2021: Bypassing Plant Pathogens: Promoting Tree and Shrub Health Through Proper Pruning

January 2021: Saying Bye-Bye to Boxwood Blight: Proper Disposable of Holiday Wreaths

December 7, 2020

As the holiday season wraps up and you begin to put away your decorations for the year, be aware that certain perishable holiday items need to be disposed of properly.  In particular, be careful of how you dispose of holiday wreaths and other garlands that contain boxwood sprigs. Why the concern?  Boxwood-containing holiday decorations have … Continue reading January 2021: Saying Bye-Bye to Boxwood Blight: Proper Disposable of Holiday Wreaths