Summer is when your lawn looks its best, ornamental shrubs are blooming, trees are fully leafed out, and many vegetables are ready to be picked. However, diseases and pests also find your plants irresistible. Here are some common issues and how to identify them.
Drooping Leaves
Drooping leaves can be a sign that the plant is simply not being watered enough. If the soil is dry, the plant might just need a drink. However, if the soil is moist or wet, drooping leaves may be a symptom of root rot. Soil that’s too wet promotes fungi that attack the roots. This is especially true of plants that don’t like “wet feet,” such as tarragon.
Bleached Areas on Fruit or Leaves
Fruits or leaves with bleached-out spots might be suffering from sunscald. This happens when parts of the plant are blasted with direct sunlight. Ironically, you’re most likely to see sunscald on peppers or tomatoes, whose fruit loves heat and sunlight. However, sunscald occurs when it’s too much of a good thing.
Pale Yellow or White Spots on Leaves
Tiny pale spots on the upper side of the leaves of your plants coupled with orange pimples on the underside are a sign of rust. This is a disease caused by a fungus. If it affects your plants, it will probably arrive in the later part of the summer, when the air is humid and the nights grow cooler.
Pale, Powdery Growth on Leaves
If you see what looks like powder on the upper part of the leaves, it might be caused by another fungus. The disease is called powdery mildew, and it too arrives in late summer. The good news is that powdery mildew isn’t as dangerous as it is unsightly; it rarely kills otherwise healthy plants.
Yellow Leaves and Stunted Growth
If the leaves start to turn yellow and you notice the plant isn’t growing well, give the plant a shake. If a white cloud flies off of it, your plant has a whitefly infestation. These pests gather on the underside of the leaf and suck the juices out of the plant.
Discolored or Curled Leaves With Webbing
This problem may be due to mites. These tiny pests attack plants when the weather is hot and dry. The growth of the plant is stunted, and its affected leaves may fall off. Ornamental plants such as daylilies, clematis, and phlox are most susceptible to mites.
Holes in the Leaves
Ragged holes in the leaves of your plants may be caused by slugs or snails. These nuisances hide by day and emerge at night to feed on leaves, especially during wet summers.
Summer can be tough on plants, but the good news is that most problems give you warning signs before things get out of hand. Paying attention to changes in color, texture, and growth can help you catch issues early and take the right steps to protect your garden. If you have concerns or require plant healthcare services, contact Willow Tree & Landscaping in Huntingdon Valley, PA.