Have you ever experienced the frustration of seeing your beloved plants wither, turn brown, or develop strange lumps? It’s a nightmare for any gardener, and all too often, we notice the problem too late to do anything about it. But fear not, because the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has just released its annual disease ranking for UK gardeners in 2023. This list reveals the top ten plant diseases that have been causing havoc in gardens across the country. Let’s take a look at these troublesome diseases and how you can tackle them head-on.
Honey Fungus
For the 28th year in a row, honey fungus claims the top spot on the list. This insidious disease causes white fungal growth between the bark and wood of plants, often accompanied by clumps of honey-colored mushrooms. It affects over 140 different plant species, with privet, rose, and viburnum being the most commonly affected in 2023. Honey fungus can lead to serious symptoms such as death, cracked and bleeding bark, and failure to flower.
Apple and Pear Scab
The second-ranked disease on the list is apple and pear scab. This disease causes dark, scabby marks on the fruit trees and can also lead to twig infections causing cankers.
Rose Black Spot
One of the most common diseases affecting roses, black spot, develops black spots on rose leaves, causing them to fall off. When cleaning up fallen leaves, make sure to burn them to avoid spreading the disease in your compost.
Pear Rust
Pear rust manifests as bright orange spots on the upper surfaces of pear leaves.
Blossom Wilt of Fruit Trees
This disease causes brown and shriveled blossoms and leaves on fruit trees.
Bacterial Leaf Spot and Prunus Canker
Bacterial leaf spot and prunus canker are characterized by dead bark and small shotholes in leaves.
Phytophthora Root
Phytophthora root disease leads to wilting, yellow or sparse foliage, and branch dieback.
Pocket Plum
Pocket plum causes elongated, hollow fruits with no stone on plums and damsons. It also affects ornamental prunus species.
Tulip Fire
Tulip fire produces brown spots and twisted, withered leaves.
Slime Flux
Slime flux affects a wide range of trees and shrubs, causing a bad smell and bleeding cankers that can eventually lead to death.
According to Liz Beal, RHS Plant Pathologist, the unusually wet weather in 2023 had a significant impact on plant health across the UK, resulting in the prevalence of diseases such as tulip fire and pocket plum. To combat these common diseases, gardeners are advised to practice good hygiene, keep their tools clean, and remove and dispose of diseased plant material from their gardens.
In addition to being knowledgeable about the diseases affecting your plants, it’s essential to understand the specific conditions of your garden. By knowing which plants will thrive in different areas of your garden, you can increase their chances of fighting off infections.
National Compost Week
In other gardening news, did you know that it’s National Compost Week? If you’re interested in creating your compost, Mick Poultney, the Compost King, has some fantastic tips for you:
- Use as many natural ingredients as possible.
- Chop up kitchen waste and mix it with shredded paper (avoid glossy or colored paper).
- Topsoil and molehills are excellent sources of nutrients and organic matter.
- Add manure to introduce worms into the compost.
- Mix a handful of each ingredient in a plastic bag and shake it several times.
- Empty the bag into a compost bin and cover it in black plastic to absorb the sunlight.
- Water the compost if needed and place carpet layers on top to let the worms do their work.
According to a study by Toolstation, gardening has been proven to reduce stress and cortisol levels. Interacting with nature in a garden environment can promote a sense of calmness and lower stress, according to Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, a clinical psychologist.
Improve Air Quality with Indoor Plants
Florists Chrysanthemum, Lady Palm, Peace Lilies, English Ivy, and the Snake Plant are the top five indoor plants that can help purify the air. These plant recommendations are based on data from NASA, the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, and Colorado State University. Having these plants in your home can not only improve air quality but also contribute to relaxation and improved mental health.
Pruning Tips and Jobs for the Week
If you have established Magnolia trees, you can prune them now, even if they are flowering. This will prevent weak vertical shoots called “watershoots” from growing and draining the tree’s energy.
For dogwood, cotinus (smoke bush), and willows, this is the perfect time to cut them right down to just a few inches above the ground before they start to leaf. This aggressive pruning will encourage vigorous growth.
Learn: Tips for Preventing Drooping Tulips
James Thompson from Sunderland asks if there’s a way to prevent cut tulips from drooping when placed in a vase. The answer is yes! Take all your tulips out of the vase, snip a couple of centimeters off the end of each stem, and push a needle carefully through the stem below the flower head to release any trapped air bubbles. Place the tulips back in fresh water, and hopefully, they’ll be standing tall again in no time!
Win a Fountain Bundle for World Water Day!
In celebration of World Water Day, our friends at Hydria Life want to give two lucky readers a fountain bundle worth £199. This bundle includes a Hydria Water Feature Kit, a charcoal or white planter, and an Onyx Mosaic and Mindfulness Pebbles fountainhead. To enter, visit www.thesun.co.uk/HYDRIACOMP or send your name, age, email or phone number to Sun Hydria Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. This competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over, and it closes at 23.59 GMT on March 30th, 2024.
Save with Wayfair and The Range
If you’re in need of a new broom, look no further. Wayfair offers the Deanna Push Broom for just £20.99, while The Range has the Stiff Bassine Broom for only £1.89. These affordable options will help you brush up a storm and keep your outdoor spaces clean.
That’s it for this week’s gardening tips and news. Get out there, tend to your plants, and enjoy the beauty of your garden. Happy gardening!
For more gardening advice and inspiration, visit F5mag.com.