Blossom End Rot (left)-University of Kentucky, Blossom End Rot on watermelon-Tom Isakeit

It starts out as a small watery looking spot that turns brown and begins widening as the fruit ripens. The tissues then look dry and leathery. Calcium deficiency can be lessened with the application of lime or gypsum.

Squash vine borer larva (left)-Alabama Farmers Cooperative Inc, Larvae (right)-Kansas State University

Description
The adult is clear-winged moth resembling a wasp. They are orange and black and have black stripes on their bodies.

Moth (left)-Kansas State University, Moth (right)-Ohio State University

Habitat & Lifecycle
These pest are found east of the rocky mountains in the US and Canada. They overwinter in a cocoon in the soil. Adult moths lay their eggs along the stems and the eggs are small and brown or reddish. Moths lay their eggs in early spring. There may be up to two generations per year depending on climate. A very cold winter can kill off many of the cocoons.

Lifecycle (left)-North Carolina State University, Damage from the squash vine borer (right)-Ohio State University

Diet & Damage
They bore into the stems of cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and other gourd type plants. You can see a small entry hole where the larvae go inside the stems to do the most damage. The vines will wilt and eventually die. You can tell if they are present since they leave a small mass of green debris just under the holes. Squash stalk borers are extremely hard to control. It is critical to stop them from entering the vine since once they are in there it is too late.

Control
1) Nema-Ject^TM Nematodes – Nematodes injected into the stems helps control theses worms. This method is convenient with container, greenhouse or house plants.
2) Floating Row Covers – In the spring when the plants are newly planted, use row covers so the moths cannot lay their eggs. If you use a row cover then you must pollinate the flowers by hand.
3) Hand Pick – Try to catch them in egg stage so you can kill them before major damage. If you see the holes, take a sharp knife and slit the stem to remove the worms. Bury the injured section of the plant. This will help the injured section to reroot.
4) Crop Rotation – Rotate your crops from year to year and plant the cucurbits type plants far from where they were planted the previous year.
5) Plant Resistant Varieties – Butternut squash, acorn squash and some zuchinni varieties.

Botrytis (left)-University of California, Botrytis on strawberry (right)-Cornell University

It attacks most ornamentals, perennials, annuals, a host of vegetables and fruits. Two other types are specific to tulips (also called tulip fire) and peonies. Avoid overhead watering as this can make the disease spread faster.

How to control Botrytis:
1) Sanitation is the key to the spread of Botrytis. Pick off affected parts and dispose of them. I recommend burning.
2) Organic fungicides specific for Botrytis applied in the early spring is the best prevention.
3) Avoid watering the leaves and be sure to water in the mornings so plants can dry off.
4) Increase air circulation to help plants dry before this disease spreads.

Black spot on roses (left)-Crocus Gardeners by Nature, Black spot (right)-R,C, Lambe

Controls
1) Neem oils have been highly effective.
2) If infestation is not severe, cut off the affected leaves and burn them. In the fall be sure to clean up all rose debris and burn this as well. a severe pruning of roses in the fall will help them off to a good start in the spring.
3) Buy disease resistant roses or plants.
4) 1 tsp of baking soda to one spray bottle can also help clear it up.
5) Avoid watering the leaves as this can increase the problem.
6) Organic fungicides are also effective.

Powdery Mildew-New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, A serious powdery mildew infestation (right)-AgricoCanada

If not treated quickly it can result in the loss or stunted growth of your plants. Roses are most susceptible to this fungus but almost any plant, tree, grass or ornamentals can be affected.

Controls
1) Increase air circulation between plants.
2) When watering only water the leaves if there is time for the plant to dry off.
3) A tablespoon of baking soda in a spray bottle will help kill this fungus.
4) A weak solution of skim milk and water sprayed on the fungus also works. (about 1 part milk to 10 parts water)
5) Sulfer or copper sprays are effective controls for any fungus type disease.
6) Organic fungicides can be purchased in most garden shops and home improvement centers.

Nitrogen-N
(Nitrogen deficiency on maple)
Nitrogen is the first letter N on a bag of fertilizer. Nitrogen is required for vigorous green tissue growth. This is what makes plants green. Yellowing leaves on plants is an indication of nitrogen deficiency, plants will eventually die.

Phosphorous & Potash (phosphate)-P
(Phosphorous deficiency on sugar beet)
Phosphate is the 2nd letter on a bag of fertilizer. Plants need this to stimulate good strong roots. It also aids in the production of fruits and flowers. Symptoms include stunted growth and extremely slow growth rates.

Potassium-K
(Potassium deficiency on tomato plant)
Potassium is the 3rd letter on a bag of fertilizer. It helps promote less water loss in plants and helps thier roots take more water into the plant. It also aids in making plants more disease and insect resistant. Symptoms include dry leathery leaves and brown curly edges.

Product	N	P	K
Bone Meal	1	11	0
Bood Meal	12	1	1
Fish Fertilizer	5	1	1
Chicken Manure	1.3	.4	.4
Cow Manure	.6	.2	.5
Compost	1	1	1
Fish Meal	5	3	3
Kelp	1	.5	2.5
Rock Phosphate	0	3	0
Soybean Meal	7	.5	2.3
Wood Ashes	0	1.5	8
Coffee Grounds	2	.3	.2
Cottonseed Meal	6	2	1
Eggshells	1.2	.4	.1
Alfalfa Meal	5	1	2
Grass Clippings	.5	.2	.5
Cottonseed Meal	6	2	1
Worm Casings	.5	.5	.3
Soybean Meal	7	.5	2.3
Oak Leaves	.8	.4	.1

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