Disease - Ask Extension
I have a strange new disease attacking the plants in my garden. The garden has been there in the same spot or 25 years starts with brown spots and wil...
Knowledgebase
Disease #873125
Asked June 14, 2024, 2:26 PM EDT
I have a strange new disease attacking the plants in my garden. The garden has been there in the same spot or 25 years starts with brown spots and wilting. It is affecting several plants varieties, including one ivy roses marigolds basil, all within 10 foot radius does not. seem to go beyond there
Can you identify and give me remedy?
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
It is difficult to identify the disease or pest that is affecting your plants, especially since they are not closely related species. However, from your pictures and descriptions, I suspect we may be looking at a fungal or bacterial leaf spot disease. All three specimens are susceptible to these diseases.There may be more than one culprit causing the problem. To get a positive identification, we would need to get specimens to the laboratory.
As these problems can arise from a high moisture environment that encourages disease spread, you may want to concentrate your efforts to change the growth conditions, if you can.
Start by removing as many of the affected leaves as possible and discard them. Water only in the morning so the leaves have a chance to dry out during the day. Try not to splash the soil as water is applied.
Fortunately, it appears that the problem is contained in your garden. If the problem gets worse, you may consider leaving the space fallow next year or changing the type of plants you plant. Some of these diseases can remain in the soil year after year, so it is important to break the cycle.
The following resources may give you additional information.
http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series600/rpd652/
https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/ground-cover-diseases/#bacterial-fungal-leaf-spots-of-english-ivy
https://portal.ct.gov/caes/plant-pest-handbook/pphm/marigold-tagetes
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/basildiseases.pdf
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
As these problems can arise from a high moisture environment that encourages disease spread, you may want to concentrate your efforts to change the growth conditions, if you can.
Start by removing as many of the affected leaves as possible and discard them. Water only in the morning so the leaves have a chance to dry out during the day. Try not to splash the soil as water is applied.
Fortunately, it appears that the problem is contained in your garden. If the problem gets worse, you may consider leaving the space fallow next year or changing the type of plants you plant. Some of these diseases can remain in the soil year after year, so it is important to break the cycle.
The following resources may give you additional information.
http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series600/rpd652/
https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/ground-cover-diseases/#bacterial-fungal-leaf-spots-of-english-ivy
https://portal.ct.gov/caes/plant-pest-handbook/pphm/marigold-tagetes
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/basildiseases.pdf
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
