Common Pests & Diseases - Plant Care Articles

Downy Mildew: Identifying Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Your Garden

Downy Mildew Plant Diseases Home Remedies

Downy mildew, caused by oomycetes (water molds), is characterized by yellow or pale spots on the upper leaf surface and a fluffy, purplish or grayish growth (sporangia) on the corresponding lower surface. It thrives in cool, wet conditions, causing premature leaf drop, significantly reducing photosynthesis, and severely decreasing crop yield and vigor in susceptible plants like grapes, lettuce, and basil.

Damping-off: Identifying Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Your Garden

Damping-off Plant Diseases Home Remedies

Damping-off is a common disease, primarily affecting seedlings before or shortly after emergence, caused by soil-borne pathogens like Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia. Pre-emergence damping-off prevents germination; post-emergence involves seedlings collapsing due to water-soaked, constricted stem lesions near the soil line. This results in rapid, widespread seedling death, causing significant loss in seedbeds and propagation trays.

Fusarium Wilt: Identifying Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Your Garden

Fusarium Wilt Plant Diseases Home Remedies

Fusarium Wilt, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum, is characterized by yellowing of lower leaves, followed by wilting and browning, often on one side of the plant. Internally, the vascular tissue turns brown or black. The fungus clogs the plant's water-conducting vessels, resulting in irreversible wilting and plant death, causing substantial economic damage to susceptible crops like tomatoes and cotton.

Gray Mold: Identifying Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Your Garden

Gray Mold Plant Diseases Home Remedies

Gray mold, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, appears as a characteristic fluffy, gray-brown mold (mycelium and spores) primarily on aging or damaged plant parts, flowers, and fruit, often causing blighting and soft, watery rot. It flourishes in cool, humid environments, leading to significant post-harvest decay and severe crop losses by reducing market quality and spreading rapidly in dense plantings.

Anthracnose: Identifying Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Your Garden

Anthracnose Plant Diseases Home Remedies

Anthracnose, caused by fungi like Colletotrichum species, manifests as dark, sunken lesions or spots on leaves, stems, and fruits, often along leaf veins, causing severe defoliation and distortion. It thrives in cool, wet conditions, reducing photosynthesis, damaging fruit quality, and potentially causing cankers and dieback on susceptible hosts, lowering overall plant vigor.

Rusts: Identifying Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Your Garden

Rusts Plant Diseases Home Remedies

Rusts are caused by obligate parasitic fungi, typically appearing as orange, yellow, brown, or black pustules (spores) on leaves and stems, resembling rusted metal. This infection reduces photosynthesis, leading to premature leaf drop, plant weakening, and significant losses in crop yield and ornamental quality.

Powdery Mildew: Identifying Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Your Garden

Powdery Mildew Plant Diseases Home Remedies

Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease easily identified by its white, powdery spots on leaves, stems, and flowers. These spots spread and can cover large areas of the plant.This disease blocks sunlight, stressing the plant and hindering photosynthesis. This leads to stunted growth, leaf yellowing, distortion, and premature leaf drop. It weakens the plant and can significantly reduce fruit and flower production. It thrives in high humidity and moderate temperatures.