Chapter 24

PROBLEMS

Every gardener faces some problems
with the garden at one time or another.
Environmental problems, insects and
diseases can create havoc among the
plants and often leave the grower stumped.
The best way gardeners have
prevented problems has been to carefully
examine the garden at least once a week.
First a gardener looks at the entire space.
Do the plants look healthy and vigorous? Is
their color normal and bright? Then the
grower examines a few plants closeup. Do
they look healthy? Have they grown since
the last examination? Do the leaves or any
other plant parts show signs of nutrient
problems? Taking a photographer’s x 4 or x
8 loupe, available at camera stores, the
cultivator looks at the leaves of several
plants. He asks, "Are there any
abnormalities? Any insects or eggs on the
undersides?"
The most common problems with plants
are not pests. They are over watering,
under watering and over-fertilization.
When the medium is waterlogged the
roots cannot obtain enough oxygen. At the
same time, anaerobic bacteria, which are
active in oxygen free environments, attack
the roots and produce ammonia. Plant
leaves may curl under from lack of oxygen.
Waterlogged medium is not usually a
problem for hydroponic gardeners but may
occur in a some planting mixes. One