Garden Pests

Wilting Plants in the Garden

Since plants need water, what’s the issue with too much rain? It results in wilting plants in the garden.

Although soil may seem rather solid, there are lots of spaces between the particles. These spaces hold air and water, and the roots of plants need both. Roots absorb oxygen from the air spaces in the soil.

Wilted coleus in a container

When it rains or you water a plant growing in a container, all of the spaces in the soil fill with water, and the air is displaced. Gravity pulls on the water and it moves downward. As it does, air moves back into the soil spaces.

If rain occurs frequently over an extended period, the air spaces in the soil are kept filled with water. This deprives the roots of the oxygen they need.

If these conditions continue long enough, the roots stop functioning properly and may even begin to die. Although the soil is filled with water, the roots will not absorb it. This can cause plants to wilt, even though the soil is wet.

Wilting columbine in water logged soil

At this point, the roots are also more vulnerable to attack by fungal organisms in the soil that cause root rot. Root rot infections are highly damaging to the roots and are often fatal.

I am seeing this especially in vine crops transplanted to the garden, where they wilt and die. Also in tender flowers planted in beds and containers. This problem should alleviate later this week when it warms up and the sun shines. It is now too late to plant most plants.

Garden Pests

Puff Ball Mushrooms

Someone brought in a mushroom growing in their lawn. I believe the white (sort of) round mushrooms are called puff ball mushroom. They do get very large. All pictured are fungi of course and are prevalent this year due to the frequent rains and high humidity. The source of the mushrooms is spores that can be blown in from other areas. They thrive on decaying material which includes grass thatch, dog droppings and wood from decaying roots or other sources. They prefer a shady area.

Mow the lawn regularly because short grass allows the lawn to dry out more quickly but make sure all the mushrooms and pieces of wood and debris are removed before mowing. When the soil dries out, this should not be a problem. If thatch is a problem, you might want to dethatch.

The mushroom is not poisonous; however, it is uneatable because it is very tough and tasteless.

Garden Pests

Too Much Rain on Plants

Since plants need water, what’s the issue with too much rain?

Although soil may seem rather solid, there are lots of spaces between the particles. These spaces hold air and water, and the roots of plants need both. Roots absorb oxygen from the air spaces in the soil. This changes when you get too much rain on plants.

Coleus wilting from too much rain and cool temperatures.
Coleus

When it rains or you water a plant growing in a container, all of the spaces in the soil fill with water, and the air is displaced. Gravity pulls on the water and it moves downward. As it does, air moves back into the soil spaces.

If rain occurs frequently over an extended period, the air spaces in the soil are kept filled with water. This deprives the roots of the oxygen they need.

If these conditions continue long enough, the roots stop functioning properly and may even begin to die. Although the soil is filled with water, the roots will not absorb it. This can cause plants to wilt, even though the soil is wet.

At this point, the roots are also more vulnerable to attack by fungal organisms in the soil that cause root rot. Root rot infections are highly damaging to the roots and are often fatal.

Wilting columbine from too much rain.
Wilting columbine

I am seeing this especially in vine crops transplanted to the garden, where they wilt and die. Also in tender flowers planted in beds and containers. This problem should alleviate later this week when it warms up and the sun shines. It is now too late to plant most plants.