Many plant diseases are infectious and can cause problems to the remainder of your landscape so it is imperative to contact us at the first sign of a problem. Plant Rx (a division of Kastle Kare) can arrange for one of our courteous and friendly technicians to provide you with an on-site inspection and consultation of your landscape. This will enable us to identify the problems that are causing the plant disease. The consultation fee is dependent on the service area but will be deducted off the cost of the treatment. Once we have determined the source, we will suggest a treatment or routine service that will restore your lawn, trees and plants back to optimal health. Significant fluctuations in the basic environment of your plants, including pH levels in the soil, proper drainage and root or systemic changes can quickly cause problems for your plants.
Plant Symptoms
To help you identify if your plants may be suffering from disease, these common symptoms are typically present:
- Brown or scorched leaves
- Progressive dying of branches
- Leaf spots, blotches, blemishes, blisters or scabby spots
- Malformed leaves
- Yellow-green foliage
- Early leaf drop
- Wilting or drooping of foliage
- Tiny yellow speckling on leaves
- Yellow banding on needles
If your lawn, trees or plants are experiencing any of these symptoms, we need to also identify the cause. Some common origins may be:
Fungi
Fungi are the most common type of plant disease. Fungi cause many different symptoms such as leaf spots, wilts, curled leaves, dieback, enlargements or galls, stunted plants and dead plants. Fungal spores are spread by wind, water, soil movement, machinery, insects and anything else they come in contact with, including people.
Viruses
Viruses are submicroscopic particles that infect plants and lead to stunting, discoloration, deformation, or death of leaves, stems, fruit or entire plants. Many viruses are spread by aphids (plant lice), leafhoppers or other plant-feeding insects.
Nematodes
Nematodes are tiny and usually microscopic roundworms that feed on a wide variety of organisms. Nematode species that damage plants may feed on or in roots, tubers, bulbs, leaves, or stems. With the exception of the pinewood nematode, which feeds inside branches and trunks, most species that are pests of ornamental plants feed on roots.
Bacteria
These microscopic, one-celled organisms get their food from living plants or organic matter. Common symptoms of plant disease resulting from bacterial infection include shoot blight, leaf spots, soft roots, scabs, wilts, cankers and galls on branches, twigs, stems and roots. Bacteria are commonly spread by splashing water or by moving plants, soil and equipment
Professional Consultation
We will arrange for one of our courteous and friendly technicians to provide you with an on-site inspection and consultation of your landscape or estate grounds. This will enable us to identify the areas that need treatment and a regular maintenance plan. The consultation fee is dependent on the service area but will be deducted off the cost of the treatment.