Gardening challenges may seem daunting, especially when it
comes to its well-being. Fortunately, these issues can be prevented
with the right know-how. The most important rule for growing a
healthy garden is to maintain close supervision. Plants are alive and
equipped with physical warning signs that signal when something is
wrong. If these pre-emptive symptoms are identified at early stages,
then the garden may be saved.
After choosing the right gardening apparatus and sowing their plants,
greenhorn gardeners need to stay vigilant for common illness signs.
There are a variety of diseases, molds, fungi, rots, and environmen-
tal factors that can negatively affect gardens, but most treatments are
universal. Instead of memorizing every illness that can befall a garden,
new gardeners simply need to recognize the warning signs.
“
MOST PLANT ISSUES are identified by a combination
of symptoms; however, plants are unique and may not
demonstrate every symptom before it’s too late.”
WARNING SIGNS
Most plant issues are identified by a combination of symptoms; however,
plants are unique and may not demonstrate every symptom before
it’s too late. That’s why new gardeners should simply watch for any
symptoms and respond before waiting to categorize the specific disease.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take a magnifying glass to recognize issues
appearing in your garden.
DISCOLORATION AND WILTING
Major symptoms that can be resolved through additional attention
include discoloration and wilting. Discoloration occurs when a plant
hasn’t turned brown, black, gray, or white yet, but is becoming yellow
or pale. It’s a symptom caused by changes in the environment, such as
increased temperature. It can also be caused by overwatering, but both
can be solved easily. When discoloration becomes present, reassure the
soil isn’t pooling water and the garden isn’t receiving more than six to
eight hours of direct sunlight.
New gardeners can identify wilting when the plant isn’t thriving or
standing upright. Yes, leaves do droop naturally due to weight, but
wilting is present when the plant looks “sad.” If the stem isn’t strong, and
the whole plant is sagging, then it is wilting. Wilting is a symptom of
multiple plant diseases, but can be treated by assessing its environment.
Look at the soil moisture, which should be moist up to two inches down,
and for weeds in the garden. Wilting can be caused by a nutrition imbal-
ance as well, so re-evaluate the amount of fertilizer in the soil. Fertilizer
is fickle and is best used as directed on the packaging. If you’re unsure
about your soil’s quality, home and garden stores often have simple test
kits you can use to determine pH and nutrient needs.
grow cycle
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