Disease

Plants dying long after the ‘Big Wet’ has finished? Some trees, shrubs or even pot plants can take up to 3 months to show signs of root rot (phytopthora). Signs of root rot are wilting, dieback at the tips of the branches, yellowing leaves, roots becoming mushy and eventually death. Treating early is key to the plant’s survival. Spray with …

Protect the harvest you have been nurturing from chewing insects.   • Cover-up – Create a physical barrier by covering leafy vegetables with a fine weave vegetable netting. Sometimes you need to protect only one plant or row of plants. A cloche is a temporary cover, sized and shaped to fit a particular plant. For single plants, make inexpensive cloches …

  Bindii Winter is a time when Bindii start to invade our home turf, causing much pain and frustration. If you have ever walked on a bindii and felt the sharp pain they cause, you may be interested to know that it is actually the seed that forms the prickle. Bindii starts growing in winter and if you kill the …

Watch out for Black Spot on your pawpaws, generally seen in cool weather or after periods of wet weather. Plants lacking in minerals and unbalanced soil structures are more susceptible to diseases. Add a layer of 5IN1® Organic Plant Food over the soil and water plant with a dose of Searles Liquid Potash to keep pawpaws healthy and fruiting. How to …

Summer is the time you should start seeing developing mangos on your tree. If you notice a black spotting and dying off of the leaves you may have Anthracnose disease. Anthracnose is a fungal disease which can come on very quickly, usually during periods of long wet weather. It spreads from leaves to fruit flower, preventing fruit development. Treat Anthracnose with …

Spring is a time for gardens to sing with life and colour, but it’s also a time for some common plant health problems to arise. Problem 1: Psyllids Lilly-pilly trees are a very popular hedging plant, but can be vulnerable to psyllids which cause unsightly, but harmless lesions on new growth. To avoid this problem ask your local garden expert …

Sub-tropical and tropical climates provide the perfect humid conditions for fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and black spot to thrive. These fungal diseases can severely stress the plant and diminish its performance, resulting in fewer blooms and a sickly looking plant. However, natural treatments are available to assist gardeners in fending off these fungal infestations.   What is powdery …

If your desiring a rose display that will rival Flemington Racecourse on Melbourne Cup, then follow these sound spring rose care tips. Pruning Roses Generally, roses should be pruned back by two-thirds in winter but if you haven’t done this by early spring, a gentle pruning to remove dead branches and excess straggly growth should suffice. Feeding Roses When new …