Diseases Affecting the Plants in Container Gardens

Plants are very delicate organisms and there are diseases affecting the plants in container gardens. If you have a container garden, you need to know how different diseases affect plants in container gardens and what the symptoms of these diseases are so you can identify them and treat them appropriately. We will examine some of the most common diseases affecting the plants in container gardens and the methods used to combat them.

1. Rust

Rust is one of the most common diseases affecting the plants in container gardens. Rust starts when the soil gets turned over and moisture seeps in, causing the roots of the plant to turn yellow and die. This is a disease that can affect a wide variety of plants, from wheat to tea, and can harm plants quickly and negatively. You can prevent rust by using good soil and watering frequently during the treatment period.

2. Botulism

Botulism is another disease that can infect plants and is caused by the same fungi that cause rust. Botulism is very easy to identify and if it does not respond to treatment can be killed by shaking the plant gently. It usually affects grass and can do very serious damage to the leaves and roots. You can minimize the danger to your plants by removing infected plants promptly from the area, covering with large newspapers or waste bags and drying thoroughly before placing them in the sun or back yard. Keep any infected plants cool and well watered.

3. Mildew

Mildew can attack plants and is caused by fungi that overgrow in damp conditions, spores being released into the air and dying when water accumulates on the top of the plant. Mildew doesn’t kill plants instantly but slowly spreads through the plant destroying roots, stems and leaves over time. Prevent mildew by keeping the area humid and clean, spraying weeds often with non-toxic weed killer, regularly clearing standing water from the plant roots and changing the soil regularly.

4. Aphid Attacks

Aphids are a plant disease that attacks plants by piercing the skin of the plant with their spines. The aphid eats the plant juices causing extreme dehydration and eventually wilting of the plant leaving it open to the soil for easy germination of the next crop. Aphids can spread rapidly if an infected plant is moved to a different location. The plants affected by aphid differ in appearance and growth habit from other plants of the same family, often being pale in color and having dull shades of green, gold, orange, cream or grey bands. Aphids can appear in any season and at any stage of the plant’s growth cycle. Aphids do not feed on the plant’s leaves, but rather only attack the sap cells of the plant.

5. Fluking

Fluking is a fungal disease that affects plants by destroying the roots as well as the leaves of the plant. The affected plants lose all their foliage and grow just like a plant without any leaves. They are also prone to brown splotches on the leaves. The fungi that cause fluking also infects other plants of the same family and may spread from one plant to another through splattered foliage. To prevent this disease, keep infected plants covered and out of reach of insects during periods of wet weather.

6. Leaf Blight

Another disease affecting the plants in container gardens is a disease called leaf blight. This is caused by leafhoppers, which are pests that suck plant juices. Leaf blight is characterized by small brown spots that appear on the leaves. These spots usually appear before the plants lose color.

7. Yellow Disease

Yellow disease is another common disease affecting the plants in container gardens. Symptoms include white yellow leaves and stems that turn yellow over time. In some cases, the flowers and leaves may also turn yellow. This disease is commonly found in plants in humid regions during droughts. This is usually a symptom of a bacterial or fungal infection.

8. Ways to Get Rid of Plant Diseases

8.1 Isolate the Affected Plants

If your plants have fungi or bacterial infections, the best thing to do is to isolate the infected plants until the infections go away. Most fungi and bacterial infections affect plants below the ground. For example, black spot, root rot and other fungal diseases affect shallow roots below the soil surface. Soilborne diseases affect plants beneath the soil.

8.2 Proper Plant Care

Most pests and diseases affect can be avoided with proper plant care. A regular inspection of the area where the plants are planted will help you determine the location of pests and diseases. If you are a beginner in container gardening, start with some simple plants and learn how to take care of them.

9. Conclusion

Most garden diseases are preventable with the correct growing conditions and sanitation practices. Plants that are over-watered, poorly sterilized, or have poor soil health can easily become infected. Be sure to properly care for your garden so it doesn’t become a victim of the disease.