Sick Plant Clinics and Twilight Tour
Amy Jordan, Special to the Gazette
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Plant problems occur at all times during the growing season, but seem to be especially apparent in mid-summer.
The key to treating a plant problem is proper identification. This may be obvious, or might take some investigating to figure out what exactly is going on. Knowing how to treat the problem saves time and in some cases expense if pesticides are used, but also prevents pesticides from being improperly applied that could harm beneficial insects or the environment. Identification and timing are critical in pest control.
Many times plant decline is not caused by an insect or disease, but by environmental factors such as weather (heat, drought, freeze, hail, etc.), mechanical damage, compaction or a number of other non-pest issues. To determine the problem, questions are asked to gain as much information as possible about growing conditions, environmental factors, symptoms, water and fertilizer applications, etc., that might contribute to, or shed light on the problem. Even if the cause of the plant problem is known, there are often questions on what to do to remedy the situation. Advice on insecticides, herbicides or integrated pest management will also help to alleviate the problem.
The Sick Plant Clinic, occurring at the next two Wednesday night Farmers Markets July 29 and Aug. 5 at 5 p.m., is a place to bring your ailing plants for information on diagnoses and treatment. Experts will be on hand to answer your questions about plant decline, insect damage, yellowing leaves, stunted or distorted growth, dieback or identification.
To participate, bring a representative sample that includes a portion of the plant showing the transition of healthy tissue to the problem tissue. For insect identification, bring the insect (if possible) as well as the damage being caused. If it is not feasible to bring in a sample, such as in the case of a tree trunk, pictures or detailed information will help. There is no charge for this educational event.
Try to answer the following questions about your ailing plant before bringing it in for diagnosis. This information will help the diagnostician identify the problem.
1. Kind of plant- Variety
2. How long has it been established in its present location? i.e. Has it been recently transplanted?
3. Exposure; N, S, E or W — full sun or shade?
4. What is the nature of the soil? Tight clay? Drainage?
5. When did the problem first appear? Has it happened before?
6. Are any other plants in the vicinity similarly affected?
7. What part of the plant was affected first? Top or bottom? Which side?
8. Has there been any construction near the plant? How recently? Have underground utilities been installed or replaced near the plant recently?
9. Is the soil around the plant subject to foot or vehicular traffic that could lead to compaction? Is there pavement near the plant?
10. Have there been any weed killers used nearby? If so, what and when? Has salt or other ice melting material been used nearby?
11. What are the symptoms that have appeared? How have they progressed? Is there any pattern of development?
12. What program of watering and fertilizing has been followed?
13. Have there been any fungicides or insecticides used on the plant? If so, what and when?
14. Is there any evidence of mechanical damage to the plant (i.e. lawn mower/nylon cord trimmer)?
15. Are there any suspicious insects present? What do they look like?
16. Try to bring as much of the plant as possible, and as fresh as possible.
Prior to the Sick Plant Clinics, Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will be hosting a Twilight Tour of their demonstration gardens on Tuesday beginning at 7:30 p.m. The first tour site will be the William Allen White House State Historic Site landscape which features perennial gardens and a water garden. A demonstration on dividing iris and daylilies will take place. The second site is the garden at the Lyon County fair grounds at 6th and Industrial on the southwest side of the grandstands. This garden features Prairie Star and Prairie Bloom flower beds and an ornamental grass collection. Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answer gardening questions. There is no charge for the tour.
For more information on the Sick Plant Clinic or Twilight Tour, call the Extension office at 620-341-3220.