Use Tools To Prevent Fungal Disease
There are a number of products on the market that when used regularly according to their label instructions while definitely help plants avoid most fungal disease problems that might arise during the growing season. Harpin protein products cause a plant to engage its internal immune system that works to prevent disease. Aerated compost tea or beneficial soil microbes will help a plant improve its natural defenses against fungal disease. For more information see the file New Technology In Plant Growth Activators
Control with Area Cleanup
One thing that helps control chronic fungal disease problems in your yard is cleaning up accumulated weeds, sticks, dead plants, and decaying debris near areas where fungal disease has been a problem. This denies fungal spores a safe place to overwinter.
In the fall replace mulch materials under infected plants with freshly chopped leaves or bark chips in the fall. Pull up and discard all dead and dying annual plants and cut dried stems and foliage of perennial plants back down to the soil surface. In the spring, rake up the twigs and debris that have accumulated over the winter. Be sure to collect all the branches left from spring pruning. Sterilize tools that you have used on infected plants in hot water and household bleach to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Use Anti-transpirant Spray
Anti-transpirants are usually sprayed on leaves and needles to protect them from winter injury, transplant shock, and excessive water loss during droughts. These anti_transpirant_spray products coat plant surfaces with a clear, flexible film which has been found to prevent fungi from becoming established.
Keep Plants Happy
The best way to control fungal disease is to keep your plants as happy and stress free as possible. Choose the right plants and put them in the right places in your yard. Start by choosing disease resistant plants that are appropriate for your region. This is easy with vegetable and fruit plants whose disease resistance qualities are usually listed on their labels. Choose sturdy, healthy seedlings and transplant them during late afternoons or evenings or on overcast days to minimize transplant shock. If you grow your own seedlings indoors, take the trouble to acclimate them gradually to the outdoors before planting them permanently.
While you can not control the weather--and fungal disease is often very much a function of extreme dryness or extreme humidity--you can control the immediate climate around your plants. Give them the soil, light and moisture they prefer. Do not crowd them; air circulation is critical to preventing fungal infection. Avoid watering them from above--wet foliage encourages fungus.
