IC ROOTS NURSERY
PEST & DISEASE IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

Organic treatment options for common problems

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COMMON PESTS

1. APHIDS
Appearance: Small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects
Colors: Green, black, yellow, pink
Location: Undersides of leaves, new growth
Damage: Curled leaves, sticky honeydew, stunted growth

Organic Controls:
□ Spray with strong water jet
□ Release ladybugs or lacewings
□ Apply insecticidal soap
□ Use neem oil spray
□ Plant companion plants (garlic, chives)

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2. JAPANESE BEETLES
Appearance: Metallic green body with copper wings
Size: 1/2 inch long
Location: Feeding on leaves and fruit
Damage: Skeletonized leaves, damaged fruit

Organic Controls:
□ Hand-pick into soapy water (morning is best)
□ Apply beneficial nematodes to soil
□ Use row covers during peak season
□ Plant trap crops (grapes away from main crop)
□ Milky spore disease (long-term control)

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3. SPIDER MITES
Appearance: Tiny (barely visible), eight-legged
Signs: Fine webbing, stippled leaves
Location: Undersides of leaves
Damage: Yellow/bronze leaves, leaf drop

Organic Controls:
□ Increase humidity
□ Spray with water regularly
□ Apply insecticidal soap
□ Release predatory mites
□ Use neem oil

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4. SCALE INSECTS
Appearance: Small bumps on stems/leaves
Colors: Brown, white, gray
Location: Stems, branches, leaves
Damage: Yellowing leaves, sticky honeydew, sooty mold

Organic Controls:
□ Scrape off with soft brush
□ Apply horticultural oil (dormant or summer)
□ Use insecticidal soap
□ Prune heavily infested branches
□ Release parasitic wasps

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5. CATERPILLARS (Various types)
Appearance: Soft-bodied larvae, various colors
Signs: Chewed leaves, droppings (frass)
Location: On leaves and fruit
Damage: Holes in leaves, damaged fruit

Organic Controls:
□ Hand-pick and destroy
□ Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)
□ Use row covers
□ Encourage birds and wasps
□ Remove egg masses

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6. WHITEFLIES
Appearance: Tiny white flying insects
Location: Undersides of leaves
Signs: Yellow sticky substance, sooty mold
Damage: Yellowing leaves, stunted growth

Organic Controls:
□ Yellow sticky traps
□ Strong water spray
□ Insecticidal soap
□ Neem oil
□ Release parasitic wasps (Encarsia formosa)

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COMMON DISEASES

1. POWDERY MILDEW
Appearance: White/gray powdery coating on leaves
Location: Upper leaf surfaces, stems, buds
Conditions: Warm days, cool nights, poor air circulation
Damage: Distorted leaves, reduced vigor

Organic Treatments:
□ Improve air circulation (pruning)
□ Water at soil level (avoid wetting foliage)
□ Apply sulfur fungicide
□ Use baking soda spray (1 tbsp/gallon)
□ Neem oil application
□ Milk spray (1:9 milk to water)

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2. FIRE BLIGHT
Appearance: Blackened, dead branches
Signs: Shepherd's crook appearance, ooze
Location: Branch tips, blossoms
Damage: Death of branches, can kill tree

Organic Treatments:
□ Prune 8-12" below visible damage
□ Disinfect tools between cuts (10% bleach)
□ Remove and destroy infected material
□ Apply copper spray during dormancy
□ Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers

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3. LEAF SPOT (Fungal)
Appearance: Brown/black spots on leaves
Signs: Yellow halos, premature leaf drop
Location: Leaves throughout plant
Conditions: Wet, humid weather

Organic Treatments:
□ Remove infected leaves
□ Improve air circulation
□ Water at soil level only
□ Apply copper fungicide
□ Sulfur dust
□ Compost tea spray

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4. ROOT ROT
Appearance: Wilting despite adequate water
Signs: Brown, mushy roots; crown rot
Location: Root system, base of plant
Cause: Poor drainage, overwatering

Organic Treatments:
□ Improve drainage immediately
□ Reduce watering
□ Drench with compost tea
□ Apply beneficial fungi (mycorrhizae)
□ May require transplanting to better site

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5. RUST
Appearance: Orange/rust-colored spots
Location: Undersides of leaves
Signs: Powdery substance, yellow upper leaf
Damage: Defoliation, reduced vigor

Organic Treatments:
□ Remove and destroy infected leaves
□ Improve air circulation
□ Sulfur fungicide
□ Neem oil
□ Avoid overhead watering

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PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Cultural Practices
□ Choose disease-resistant varieties
□ Ensure proper spacing for air flow
□ Water at soil level, morning preferred
□ Sanitize tools regularly
□ Remove diseased material promptly
□ Practice crop rotation
□ Maintain soil health

Environmental
□ Provide adequate sunlight
□ Ensure good drainage
□ Avoid over-fertilizing (attracts pests)
□ Mulch to prevent soil splash
□ Monitor plants weekly

Biological
□ Encourage beneficial insects
□ Plant diversity (companion planting)
□ Provide habitat for predators
□ Use compost tea regularly
□ Maintain soil life

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ORGANIC SPRAY RECIPES

Basic Insecticidal Soap:
• 1 tbsp liquid castile soap
• 1 quart water
• Spray thoroughly, repeat weekly

Baking Soda Fungicide:
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 gallon water
• Apply every 7-10 days

Garlic Pest Spray:
• 1 bulb garlic, crushed
• Soak in mineral oil 24 hours
• Add 1 pint water + 1 tsp dish soap
• Strain, dilute 1:20 before using

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WHEN TO TAKE ACTION

Early Intervention = Better Results

□ Monitor plants weekly
□ Keep garden journal (track patterns)
□ Identify problems correctly before treating
□ Start with least toxic options
□ Treat at appropriate times (cool of day)
□ Follow application instructions

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RESOURCES & HELP

Can't identify your problem?

1. Take clear photos (whole plant + closeup)
2. Contact your local extension office
3. Visit www.icrootsnursery.net/contact
4. Check university extension websites

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Expert advice for healthy plants