Show Date: 29 Jul 10
Diagnostics is always the toughest part of gardening because there can be so MANY reasons why a plant  is declining.  When I found this little gem after an exhaustive search, I was thrilled!

A white wire with flag used to identify a new planting (so you don’t mow it over) killed 2 branches of one of my lilacs.  Apparently “someone” got too close to the shrub with the weed whip and wound that wire completely around 2 branches essentially choking them to death.  It took about a year and a half.

Show Date: 5 Mar 10
Diagnostics is probably the most difficult part of gardening!

Fungal leaf spot on Maple

Here are some questions that a Master Gardener might ask of you to find out what’s wrong with your plant?

• Exactly what kind of plant is it? (may sound easy but some folks don’t know)
• Is it growing in the right conditions?  Are it’s requirements being met?
• Compared to a healthy plant, what is wrong with yours?
• If the leaves are brown or yellowed, are they crispy or flexible?
• Do you see signs of insects
• Are there brown spots on the leaves?  If so, are they round or random?

Sometimes there is more than 1 reason a plant is not doing well.  In trees, it can take years to show decline.  Weather conditions play a huge role in issues with large plants!

Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic [Cornell University]