Disease

Tomato Plant Health

Q. For the last few years my tomato leaves have been turning brown and falling off early. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?

Frost Crack

Q. I have noticed frost cracking on my sycamore. What, if anything, should I do about it?

Maple leaves have black spots

Q. I noticed that the maples in my neighborhood have black spots on them. Are the trees sick?

Disease and insect resistance in tomatoes

Q:  What do the letters VFNT mean on the tomato plant labels?

A:  Tomatoes are prone to a number of diseases and pests. Tomatoes have been hybridized to be resistant to common problems. The following letters represent disease/insect resistance and may appear alone or in a combination:

V = verticillium wilt resistance (fungal disease)
F = fusarium wilt resistance (fungal disease)
N = nematode resistance (insect)
T = tobacco mosaic virus resistance (viral disease)

Preventing Powdery Mildew on Phlox

 

Q. What can I do to prevent powdery mildew from attacking my phlox and zinnias?

Peony Blight

Q. I have an established planting of peony bushes that are attacked by blight every year. What is the best way to prevent this disease from recurring?

Apple Scab, Crabapple Tree Disease

Q. My crabapple trees (and those of many of my neighbors) have suffered from a disfiguring disease for several years. The trees bloom well in spring, but soon afterward, the leaves develop spots, turn brown, and drop off the tree by midsummer. What can we do?

Diagnosing Disease in Crabapple Trees

Q. Every year my crabapple leaves get brown spots on them which cause the leaves to fall off of the tree before the end of the summer. What is wrong with my tree and what can I do about it?