Garden fungal diseases are one of the main problems that garden plants battle. Although they look ugly and take away a garden’s attractiveness, most of them don’t seriously damage plants. There are various types of garden funguses that can attack a garden, mostly during cooler months of autumn and winter when there’s less sunlight. They’re hard to identify and often gardeners don’t even realize that their plants have a disease caused by a fungus.
Mushrooms are Funguses
Mushrooms, which are actually funguses rather than true plants, thrive in damp warm places of a yard or forest floor. While the real fungus organisms are in the earth, the mushroom is actually the “flower” or reproductive part of a fungus. It’s made up of a fat cap that’s attached to a stalk. Rows of gills housing spores or reproductive cells lie underneath the cap. When wind blows these spores are released, spreading to other fungus. As plants decay dirt housing mushrooms generates the growth of more fungus.
Powdery Mildew Garden Fungal Disease
Powdery mildew is one of the most common garden funguses. This fungus is so-named for its powdery appearance that resembles talcum power. It mostly attacks lilacs, tall phlox, bee balm, squash and cucumbers, and typically occurs during dry hot weather. Conditions that can trigger the fungus include humid conditions, shade, thick growing plants and plants placed too closely together.
Usually the fungal growth from powdery mildew is able to be partially removed just by rubbing leaves. It starts, discreetly, as circular white spots and as the spots enlarge they produce a continual mat of mildew somewhat like dust or dirt. Although several fungicides are used in treating the fungus, usually the fungal growth from powdery mildew is able to be partially removing just by rubbing leaves.
Symptoms of Black Spot Fungal Disease
Black spot is a fungal disease that attacks stems, leaves and fruits of plants. The fungus begins with feathery black circular spots first developing on the upper surfaces of infected leaves. A yellow halo surrounds the spots. Infected leaves eventually turn yellow and then fall prematurely. All infected plants, leaves and flowers should not be placed in compost. Whenever an outbreak of black spots occurs during the year, it’s important to thoroughly clean a garden and destroy all infected plants, leaves and flowers. Any preventive fungicide programs should begin before leaves develop spots. Additional protective sprays should be continually applied until autumn.
Downy Mildew Fungal Disease Symptoms
Downy mildew is a fungal disease that first appears as spots or patches on the upper surfaces of leaves. This fungus consists of many branched stalks that have spores on the end. Usually, the color of the spores is somewhat violet. The spores of this fungus grow in humid warm weather, but stops growing or even dies when weather becomes dry. Garden plants that are most attacked by downy mildew are ornamentals, vegetables and fruit plants. Controlling the fungus involves removing all infected parts and carefully disposing of them.
Finally, it’s important to closely examine what’s wrong with a plant that appears to have a fungal disease and seek a professional horticulturist or county agent for help. Often novice gardeners try to guess a diagnosis and type of treatment, doing more harm than good. Gardeners sometimes take too long to determine the problem and treat it. As soon as any signs of a fungal infection are noticeable, it’s vital to correct the problem before a plant is damaged and spreads to other plants so it’s too late to reverse the problem.
References:
Plant Clinic: "Powdery Mildew" (date accessed 3/30/2010)
Venice Kichura - Venice Kichura is a freelance writer who writes on a variety of subjects. She holds a special passion for topics relating to art and ...
