Look for Early Symptoms and Signs of Plant Diseases
Current weather patterns of cloudy, overcast days can lead to an increase in disease problems such as Botrytis blight, Pythium root rot, powdery mildew, and downy mildew. Scout plants for early symptoms and signs of the pathogens. Quick action is needed to reduce crop losses. See these e-GRO Alerts for more information on Botrytis blight (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2019_810.pdf), Pythium root rot in propagation (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2019_804.pdf), powdery mildew (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/EGRO_3_10.pdf), and downy mildew on coleus (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2016_514.pdf) and on rose (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2017_719.pdf).
Always remember to follow good sanitation practices to minimize pathogen survival and disease spread within greenhouses. When using fungicides, the best control is achieved when applying products preventively. Applying products after symptoms are present will not effectively manage plant diseases.
Jean Williams-Woodward
Associate Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist, University of WyomingJean is an Associate Professor, Extension Plant Pathologist, and Director of the the Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab at the University of Wyoming beginning in 2025. Jean was previously at the University of Georgia for 29 years as an Extension Plant Pathologist providing plant disease diagnosis and management recommendations for ornamental plants in greenhouses, nurseries, and landscapes. She brings over 29 years of experience in working with ornamental plant producers and extension outreach providing education programs and on-site plant problem diagnostics.
