Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Diagnosing dilemmas
Why do my leaves lay over? How come they’re yellow? What are those holes in the leaves? My plant just doesn’t look healthy, what’s wrong? UGH, the toughest part of gardening is trying to figure out why a plant isn’t thriving!
There are lots of buds on this carpet rose in spite of this little bugger.
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? New leaves or old leaves?
Aphids love nearly everything! And come in a variety of colors too…
Oftentimes 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]
Diseases and disorders [NC State extension]
Diagnose a problem [Univ. of MN Ext.]
Many times diagnosing a problem is not so easy. Before using any chemical, know what you’re dealing with. If you spray the wrong thing, you could kill what you want!
Floating row covers can help protect vegetables.Those are, usually, plastic covers you place over your plants using hoop stakes to keep them above the growth of your plants.
