Green Disease

Similar to people, when plants don't receive the proper conditions to grow, they can fall ill. Things like sunlight, water, and air quality are all extremely important for plants, as they don't just help greenery grow, but they also prevent our flora from contracting diseases. Viral and bacterial diseases can infect plants, and oftentimes, they can be very contagious, spreading to other plants in the area. It is important that we all know how to take precautionary measures in fighting these diseases, as well as know what to do if our plants are sick.

Precautionary Measures:

The first thing you can do to ensure your plant is happy and healthy is to make sure it is getting the proper conditions. Sunlight is of utmost importance. Making sure your plant is getting the correct hours of sunlight (dependent on what plant it is) is extremely important. From time to time, we can purchase plants that don't grow in our USDA zone, but that is okay! Grow lights allow your flora to grow virtually anywhere, so long as the temperature isn't too severe. It is also important to make sure you are watering your plant enough. Through wilting or browning leaves, your plant will show signs of dehydration or overwatering, so it is important to learn the signs. Different plants require different amounts of water, so

make sure you are watering your plant accordingly. Fertilizers are another thing that you should invest your time in. These nutrient dense powders contain extremely important provisions for your plants. Its best to check the NPK values on the front of your fertilizer. N is for nitrogen, which aids in the process of photosynthesis, as well as strengthening the storing capacity within plants. P is for phosphorus, which aids in new root, stem, and other forms of growth. K is for potassium, which aids in Metabolic processes, which are extremely important for a plants overall health. It is extremely advantageous to purchase the correct fertilizers for your plants. Finally, if you notice your plant might be getting sick, the best thing you can do is separate it from other plants in the area. These diseases can spread quickly, so isolating the infected plant until no signs of the disease remain is your best bet!

What is the cure?

Plants getting sick can be a scary thing. For gardeners, a sick plant is your worst nightmare, as it can jeopardize possible fruit, vegetable, or flower production. First, notice the signs of a sick plant. Anything unusual and out of the ordinary can point towards a sick plant. This can be white powdery leaves, browning, leakage of sap, and many other factors. Once you've identified a possibly sick plant, the next best thing to do is research. Take to the web, and try to figure out what the next best step is. There are many different diseases, that require many different solutions. This step also includes contacting your local nursery. Sending in photos or clippings can save a plant's life. Thanks to Hicks Nursery, I was able to identify the disease my Valencia Orange Tree had, and properly medicate it. The final step in this process is to apply the medicine. Sometimes this can be as easy as giving it better living conditions, and waiting for it to go away itself. Other times, the ailments can be more serious, and require other treatment. When my tree was sick (as shown above) I was instructed to apply copper fungicide, to combat the fungal disease. Treatments like this are best done outdoors, with proper protection, as their fumes can be toxic to humans and pets. Apply treatments like this as instructed on the packaging, and only when the disease is gone should you move it inside or join it with other plants.

Ill plants are never any fun, however they can be a good learning lesson for new gardeners looking to gain some experience in the field. Many plants in stores are already infected, and can die upon installment in your home, which dissuades people from purchasing plants in the future. These diseases however are not your fault! Just keep a lookout for the proper signs of a diseased plant, and make sure you are treating them accordingly.