Problem Solving

Every season brings its own problems and each year can be different from another. This is part of the joy of gardening. However there are several problems which can occur each year but with careful propagation and planting these can be avoided.

Onions

For control of Onion Fly dust around the plant with pirimiphos-methyl. Any onion with maggots inside should be lifted and destroyed before the maggots go into the soil to pupate.

Spraying with a fungicide such as mancozeb can control Downy Mildew on onions. Increase the spacing of onions to improve air circulation around the plants and keep them weed free.

Thrips can be controlled by a spray with Malathion; permethrin or garlic concentrates spray.

White rot is perhaps the most serious of the problems as there is no chemical control available. The infected onions must be lifted and destroyed. Take also the soil that the onion was growing in. Do not store or re-use this soil but dispose of it. The ground can then be given a thorough cleaning by using a soil sterilant.

Leeks

Leek rust is perhaps the number one problem on any leek bed. Keep the ground weed free and spray with Dithane. When spraying leek always use a spreading agent to make sure the spray stays in contact with the leaves. It may be necessary to spray every two weeks.

For Thrips on leeks spray as for onions but using a spreading agent. N.B. Soft Soap works as a spreading agent.

Celery

Slugs can be a major problem especially when growing for exhibition as the celery blanching paper makes an ideal home. Clean and remove the slugs every time a new blanching band is added and keep a regular supply of slug pellets around the plant. If pellets are not your preferred choice use one of the many alternative methods available.

To reduce Heart Rot we have found a dressing of calcified seaweed in March or a drench spray with a weak solution of calcium nitrate can help.

For Celery Rust spray with a copper-based fungicide and remove any infected leaves.

Celery is also prone to carrot fly, mature plants can be watered with the liquid form of pirimiphos-methyl.

Beans

Root Rot is caused by bad drainage so choose the site carefully and rotate the crop. If these are no or very few flowers there is too high a nitrogen presence in the soil, use a well-balanced feed. This also applies to flowers that drop. Under watering also affect flower drop. To help the beans to set water well when the flowers are in bud.

A problem we have not experienced but is increasing in some areas is Bean Rust, This is worst in a warm damp summer. We cannot recommend a spray but would suggest that the leaves be removed promptly.

Peas

For Downy Mildew spray at the first signs with Dithane or a spray containing mancozeb. To avoid the problem practise good rotation. As Powdery Mildew usually only attacks late in the season it is often not worth bothering to control

For Foot Rot on peas spray with a fungicide spray at the first sign.

Carrots

To prevent Carrot Fly pirimiphos-methyl dust can be applied to the seed drill, mature plants can be watered with a liquid formulation of the pirimiphos-methyl at spray strength in mid-summer. A spray with the garlic concentrate also works well to disguise the smell of carrots. Avoid disturbing the carrots during growth. When growing long carrots for exhibition in a raised bed there is less chance of them being spoilt by carrot fly.

Stony soil or ground that has had fresh manure applied can cause forked roots.

Parsnip

Canker is the main problem when growing parsnips. This however can be caused by several factors, soil acidity, irregular watering or the presence of too fresh organic matter in the soil. As there is no spray to counteract Canker careful ground preparation is a must. Lime the soil regularly and pay careful attention to watering, particularly when growing long parsnips for exhibition on raised beds or in tubs.

Beetroot

Very few pests attack this vegetable. However they can be prone to the usual attacks of Aphids so a careful watch should be kept for any infestation. Long beetroot are usually sown in raised beds therefore there is little chance the seedlings will get Black Leg, this is a problem usually associated with wet ground.

Marrow/ Squash/ Pumpkin

Very few pests will attack these. Any Aphids can be removed in the usual way. Mildew can be controlled by a spray of Dithane. Although does not usually become a problem till late in the season.

Lettuce

Aphids can be a serious pest as not only do they make the plant sticky they can also spread mosaic virus. Spray with insecticide at the first sign, taking care to observe harvest dates.

Like most other vegetables lettuce can bolt if they receive a check in growth. However if they reach maturity without being used they will bolt, so it is advisable to sow or plant only a few at a time.

Brassica

The major problem with growing all types of Brassica in a small garden is Club Root. There is a preventative dip for this but no effective cure. To avoid Club Root we suggest using a good crop rotation plan.

Caterpillars can be either sprayed with an insecticide such as permethrin or removed by hand. If lest they can devastate the crop. Cabbage Root Fly can be controlled by dusting the base of the plant with either lindane or pirimiphos-methyl. A ring of carpet or roofing felt can help deter the fly.

White Blister is encouraged by warm humid weather. Avoid growing brassica on infected soil as it can persist in the ground. As there is no effective control available we suggest any leaves be removed at the first sign of the blister.

Cucumber

Root Rot is when the plants appear to be growing well the collapse. This can be caused by over watering on cool damp days, or the more common reason, not using new clean compost. Once the plants have collapsed nothing can be done to restore them.

Botrytis is caused by to high humidity for the heat in the greenhouse increase ventilation on these days. Bitter fruits can be caused be to slow a growth, we suggest an increase in feeding will help. Open pollinated varieties, such as King George, can be bitter if the fruits have been pollinated. To prevent this all the male flowers should be removed

To prevent Mildew on cucumbers ventilate on all possible occasions. Keeping the floor of the greenhouse moist also helps.

Tomato

Diseases are far more important than insect pests on tomatoes. Tomatoes grown outdoors are much less susceptible to disease than ones grown indoors. Keep a careful watch on indoor crops and treat plants immediately.

Poor drainage will cause Root Rot. The roots below ground are brown and corky; the top will wilt in hot weather. The root rot cannot be stopped once its taken hold. A mulch on top of the ground will help the formation of new roots.

Root rot can be treated if the plant is slightly affected. Treat the affected area with Cheshunt Compound. This is usually a disease of seedlings or young plants.

Stem Rot or Didymella is a disease of mature plants of which there is no effective treatment. This can be spread from plant to plant by watering or by handling. The fungus can over winter on debris or in the soil. It is essential the soil be well cleaned on sterilised before tomatoes are grown on the same area.

Tomato Blight is a devastating disease of tomatoes and is an increasing problem in some areas of the country. Preventative spraying is worthwhile if the tomatoes are growing in an area where Blight is common. Use a copper-based fungicide or one based on mancozeb.

Unlike potatoes rolled leaves on tomatoes do not indicate disease. The curling of young leaves is usually taken as a good sign if they are dark green. The rolling of older leaves is usually due to a wide variation between day and night temperatures. Providing no pests are present no action need be taken.

Either too much heat or too little potash can cause blotchy fruit. The glasshouse can be shaded to control the heat potash given as a feed. Blossom end rot is due to irregular watering when the fruit is setting and can be problem when using gro bags. To avoid this ensure a regular water supply to each plant.

Two of the main pests that attack tomatoes are Whitefly and Aphids. Both can be treated effectively either by predators or an insecticide spray. We have found predators work extremely well, they work continuously unlike a spray.

Pepper/ Aubergine

Peppers, both sweet and hot, and Aubergines can suffer the same type of problems as tomatoes. The same solutions apply. Always allow sufficient ventilation for the plants and check regularly for aphids, whitefly or glasshouse spider mite. If found, as with tomatoes use either an insecticide spray or predators.

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