- Author: Lauren Fordyce
It may be after Labor Day, but some of your plants may still be wearing white, breaking that long-standing fashion “rule”! While many of us don't adhere to this old rule for our wardrobes these days, you may care about white stuff on your plants this time of year.
There are several white colored pest insects and diseases that you could be noticing on your plants.
Scales
Several types of scale insects are white. Each has their own host preferences, or plants they feed on.
- Cochineal scales feed only on cacti, usually prickly pears. On the outside they are white and waxy but...
As you practice social distancing during COVID-19, you may find yourself spending more time in the garden. As we move into nice weather, we are sharing a few gardening tips for pest management.
Powdery Mildew
Check for signs of powdery mildew on fruit trees, landscape ornamentals, and vegetables. Symptoms can vary by plant species but common symptoms include white powdery spots developing on both sides of the leaf, leaves that turn yellow or brown and fall off, twisting and distortion of leaves and shoot. Prune out small infestations and remove infected material to reduce spread.
For more on this...
/h2>This time of year, you may notice a white, powdery looking growth on fruit, vegetable plants or ornamental plants in your garden. What is it? It could be powdery mildew.
Powdery mildew is caused by several different fungi that may attack plant leaf surfaces, shoots, fruits, and flowers. There are several species of powdery mildew; all are spread by wind and thrive in shady areas when temperatures are between 60-80 °F. The fungi attack both new and old foliage, and can be a problem on certain plants. The disease usually occurs first on new leaves, before spreading to older parts of the plant. This is why over fertilizing worsens powdery mildew.
Ornamental Plants
Many woody and herbaceous...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
- Author: Mary Louise Flint
Seeing white powdery growth on leaves and shoots in your garden or landscape? It's probably a sign that you have a common disease called powdery mildew. Powdery mildew occurs on many different plant species including fruits, vegetables and ornamentals, and may be caused by several different fungi. Symptoms vary by plant species, but infections on most plants start as white powdery spots that expand on leaf surfaces or buds. Leaves often turn yellow or brown and fall off. Vegetable fruits are usually not affected, but apples, grapes and stone fruits can develop russet scars or corky areas. In some plants, powdery mildew can cause distorted growth.
Unlike many diseases, powdery mildews generally do not require moist conditions to...