You
are probably thinking this rainy weather was a good thing. It is and it isn’t.
Let’s talk about some of the problems this rain has created for us now and over
the next month.
are probably thinking this rainy weather was a good thing. It is and it isn’t.
Let’s talk about some of the problems this rain has created for us now and over
the next month.
Expect an explosion of disease problems. Look for
diseases on tomatoes, Asian pears, some European pairs like Bartlett and even
some apples.
diseases on tomatoes, Asian pears, some European pairs like Bartlett and even
some apples.
Tomatoes
sprawling on the ground frequently have a higher percentage of fruit that rot
than those kept off the ground. One popular way around this is the use of
tomato cages.
sprawling on the ground frequently have a higher percentage of fruit that rot
than those kept off the ground. One popular way around this is the use of
tomato cages.
 |
| ‘Early Girl’ tomato crowded in a tomato cage |
Tomato
cages keep tomato vines from laying on the ground and suspend fruit in the air
where they are less likely to rot. The bad thing about tomato cages is they
force all growth into a dense, upright tangled mess.
cages keep tomato vines from laying on the ground and suspend fruit in the air
where they are less likely to rot. The bad thing about tomato cages is they
force all growth into a dense, upright tangled mess.
The
center of this tangled mess, if left to grow without human intervention, is
dark with very poor air movement. Tomato diseases love this environment
particularly if it is wet and humid. Because of poor air movement and shade,
the center of these plants tend to remain humid and dark.
center of this tangled mess, if left to grow without human intervention, is
dark with very poor air movement. Tomato diseases love this environment
particularly if it is wet and humid. Because of poor air movement and shade,
the center of these plants tend to remain humid and dark.
 |
| The beginning of Early Blight disease on tomato |
Plant
diseases love moisture, shady areas and older leaves, particularly if the
plants have not been fed. If tomato plants growing in cages are wet from overhead
sprays or extended periods of rainy weather, diseases can be a big problem.
diseases love moisture, shady areas and older leaves, particularly if the
plants have not been fed. If tomato plants growing in cages are wet from overhead
sprays or extended periods of rainy weather, diseases can be a big problem.
Tomato
plants grown in cages should have suckers removed from leaf crotches as they
are growing. This thins the plant and the remaining leaves get more sunlight
and better air circulation. Tomato fungicides should be applied before things
get really bad.
plants grown in cages should have suckers removed from leaf crotches as they
are growing. This thins the plant and the remaining leaves get more sunlight
and better air circulation. Tomato fungicides should be applied before things
get really bad.
I am predicting there will be an explosion of fireblight,
a bacterial disease, on Asian pears, many European pairs and some apples. Asian
pears are the most susceptible but look for it on European pairs like Bartlett
and even some apples. You might see it also on pyracantha and ornamental pear.
a bacterial disease, on Asian pears, many European pairs and some apples. Asian
pears are the most susceptible but look for it on European pairs like Bartlett
and even some apples. You might see it also on pyracantha and ornamental pear.
 |
| Fireblight in May |
This virulent disease enters susceptible trees through
the flowers, blown around during wet, rainy weather. Pears and apples were
flowering when the first of these recent rains occurred. That was the clue that
something was likely to occur this year.
the flowers, blown around during wet, rainy weather. Pears and apples were
flowering when the first of these recent rains occurred. That was the clue that
something was likely to occur this year.
 |
| Blackening and hook commonly seen with a fireblight infection |
It
takes time for fireblight to incubate inside the flowers and spread so signs of
this disease will begin over the next couple of weeks. The first sign is the
blackening and death of flowers and fruit and “hooking” of new growth. This
disease spreads very rapidly and, if not controlled early, kills branches and
possibly later, the entire tree.
takes time for fireblight to incubate inside the flowers and spread so signs of
this disease will begin over the next couple of weeks. The first sign is the
blackening and death of flowers and fruit and “hooking” of new growth. This
disease spreads very rapidly and, if not controlled early, kills branches and
possibly later, the entire tree.
 |
| Advanced stage of a fireblight infection |
When
symptoms are first seen use a sanitized pruning shears to remove the infected
area 10 to 12 inches below where it is seen. Always sanitize pruning shears
with alcohol, bleach or Pine-Sol after each cut. Bleach rusts steel so oil the
shears soon after using it. Bag the infected plant parts and put them
immediately in the trash. Do not compost it.
symptoms are first seen use a sanitized pruning shears to remove the infected
area 10 to 12 inches below where it is seen. Always sanitize pruning shears
with alcohol, bleach or Pine-Sol after each cut. Bleach rusts steel so oil the
shears soon after using it. Bag the infected plant parts and put them
immediately in the trash. Do not compost it.
It
is normal to see mushrooms coming from wood mulch and newly planted lawns after
rains. Mushrooms are a close relative to fungal diseases and are not inherently
bad. Mushrooms are signs that decomposers are at work and feeding off of
decaying wood. They are generally not safe to eat so knock them over with a
rake when you see them and don’t worry that these indicate plant disease.
is normal to see mushrooms coming from wood mulch and newly planted lawns after
rains. Mushrooms are a close relative to fungal diseases and are not inherently
bad. Mushrooms are signs that decomposers are at work and feeding off of
decaying wood. They are generally not safe to eat so knock them over with a
rake when you see them and don’t worry that these indicate plant disease.
 |
| Mushrooms popping up in wood mulch after rain |