Common Flower Diseases

No garden is immune from disease and your best way to deal with it is to educate yourself as to the common pests and diseases in your area.

Both flowering and non-flowering plants are prone to a number of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Fungi are able to survive in the soil, independent of the plants, while both bacteria and viruses require a plant host for their survival.

Fungi
These primitive organisms reproduce through spores which are very hard to kill. Fungi make spores in huge quantities and they spread rapidly. Some spores can affect a plant through the roots and others through the leaves. A single infected plant can release up to 100 million spores, so it is important to completely eradicate any fungal infection.

Bacteria
Unlike fungi, which can lie dormant for years or even decades in the soil, bacteria need both warmth and water to multiply and grow. Therefore, the majority of bacterial diseases are more of a problem in climates that are both warm and wet. Bacterial infections are easily spread through rain, splashing water, and even unknowingly by gardeners as they move between their plants. Most bacteria enter plants through a natural opening like a flower, or through a wound or cut in a stem or leaf.

Viruses
Viruses can only reproduce from within the cells of the plant. They are smaller even than bacteria and can be transmitted by insects or arried by infected seeds or pollen. Like bacteria, viruses often enter plants through cuts or wounds in the stems, leaves or other parts of the plant.

As with all other disease treatment, the first step to effectively treating a viral, bacterial or fungal infection in the garden is to diagnose it properly. Every gardener should keep a book or guide on hand which shows the effects of common plant diseases. This guide will prove invaluable when trying to figure out what is bothering your plants. If you are still stumped for a diagnosis, be sure to seek the assistance of the staff at your local garden center, or the help of a more experienced gardener.

If you need to treat your garden for any of these problems, you should first try natural non invasive methods. Try to avoid harsh chemicals and fungicides or same them for a last resort. While you may have to turn to using them, remember that they are not good for the environment so keep to using only the minimum amounts recommended.

Using Annuals In Your Garden
Unlike perennials or bulbs, annuals provide full color for the entire growing season. The downside of this is that annuals only last for 1 season and more must be planted in the garden each year. Luckily, annuals can be purchased rather cheaply and are even less expensive if you grow from seed.

Preventing disease in your garden
A healthy garden is important for lush blooms and vibrant leaves and one way to keep your garden healthy is to make sure your plants don't how any signs of pest and disease.

Bulb Guide
Flowering bulbs are great for the garden because they will provide you with colorful blooms year after year. There are all kinds of different types of bulbs that represent every color, size and shape and there should be a bulb to please any gardener.

Gladiolus
The gladiolus which has distinctive sword shaped leaves and funnel shaped flowers are instantly recognizable to gardeners and non gardeners alike.

Asiatic And Oriental Hybrid Lilies
Asiatic and Oriental Hybrid Lilies are popular bulb plants that are a joy to use in any garden. As a bulb plant, these lilies are easy to plant and will reward your good care with blooms year after year.

Tulips
Tulips have long been a favorite flower of hobbiest and professional growers alike. These are the flower that we most closely associate with bulbs and many a gardener has put in fall tulip bulbs and eagerly awaited their blooms in spring.